1.4 Modern Applications
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bombarding energies (~100 keV) they are easily produced. Consequently, the
production devices (neutron generators) can be small in size. Oil industry has
recognized this advantage some time ago and 14 MeV neutrons are widely used
in well-lodging activities.
Major steps forward are taken owing to both technology and politics: poli-
tics—with the end of the nuclear race, small neutron generators providing
neutron excess in nuclear weapons became available to civilians; technology—
physicists have learned how to put associated alpha particle detector inside the
sealed tube neutron generators.
Fields of applications of neutron generators are listed in Table 1.1. e major
eld of application is materials analysis, namely, ...