Compact neutron generators for the calibration of low background experiments

In the coming years, the compact monoenergetic neutron generators (CNG) producing up to 10⁴ n/s may become an alternative to the standard neutron sources based on radioactive isotopes for the calibrations of neutrino and dark matter detectors. Such neutron generators have a typical size of about several centimetres, they may be manufactured using low-background materials and may require only low voltage power supply for operation. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of two main types of the compact neutron generators, namely a pyroelectric neutron source and a high voltage neutron generator. Also the results of the technical analysis of the possibilities to apply such sources for the calibration of low-background experiments are given, the variant of the internal device design is shown and the full-size compact neutron generator prototype are presented.