Increasing the operational stability of a vacuum neutron tube ion source

The article presents the results of the study on the amplitude-time characteristics of pulsed discharges and ion flux formation processes in spark-arc ion sources used in small vacuum neutron tubes. The obtained data show that the initial phase of the discharge ignition is accompanied by the development of instabilities that affect the formation of ion fluxes. An interruption of the vacuum arc at the moment of a change in the discharge current polarity results in a sharp change in the energy characteristics of the discharge and the neutron yield of the tube. Based on the results of the study, options are proposed for constructing pulsed power supply systems based on ion sources that increase the operational stability of neutron generators.