Investigation of the Operating Regimes of Penning Ion Sources in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields

On using neutron generators for geophysical research the efficiency of logging equipment depends on the amplitude and time characteristics of neutron fluxes, which are influenced by the magnetic field inside the ion source, the composition and pressure of the gas, the frequency of anode voltage pulses, and other factors. The amplitude-time characteristics of the generated neutron pulses depend on the discharge burn regime in the ion source. The key parameters determining the conditions of ignition of the discharge and the stability of the operation of the ion source are the distribution and strength of the magnetic field in the discharge cell. This article reports the results of experimental investigations of the amplitude–time characteristics of the drawn current of small-sized Penning ion sources on changing the induction and configuration of the magnetic field in a low-frequency operating regime of a pulsed power supply system.