On the expected performance of the SORGENTINA-RF fusion neutron source

A study devoted to assessing the neutronic performance of the SORGENTINA-RF fusion neutron source is here presented. The calculation is performed considering the characteristics of the accelerated mixed deuterium/tritium ion beam from the ion source, the transport of ions into the titanium layer that constitutes the ion beam target, their implantation and the fusion reaction cross section. An investigation has been done by varying the ion composition of the beam in order to assess if and to what extent diatomic and triatomic ion species affect the neutron emission rate of the plant. This calculation is also instrumental to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of equipping the ion source with a filtering system to remove secondary ions from the beam.