ANALYSIS OF THE AMPLIFICATION OF DEUTERIUM-TRITIUM NEUTRON SOURCES: PART 1 - THEORY.

A deuterium-tritium neutron source is amplified when emitted into a body of material with appreciable (n,2n), (n,3n), and (n,f) cross sections. This amplification is described by a simple theory, approximating the strict integral transport description of the process. The distribution of neutrons in energy, from 14 MeV down to the (n,2n) threshold, is approximated by a generalized slowing down equation, which is similar in form to the infinite medium slowing down equation, and with average collision probabilities taking up the role of scattering fractions.