Copper source optimization for use in moderated positron apparatus

Abstract

We attempted to develop an intense positron source by irradiating copper on an aluminum holder at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. While this was not accomplished in the time frame required in order to include it in this thesis, I have included the design of the proposed sources for testing. Also included is my work on the development of the positron system while I was at NETL. Multiple sources are proposed to be developed with different thicknesses of copper to determine the optimum thickness and then develop a source around that known value.