1. n. [Formation Evaluation]

A device for producing high-energy neutrons by using a charged particle accelerator. Neutron generators are used in various pulsed neutron devices and some neutron porosity measurements. In a typical device, deuterium (2D) and tritium (3T) ions are accelerated towards a target also containing the same isotopes. When 2D and 3T collide, they react to produce a neutron with an energy of about 14.1 MeV. The first neutron generators were built in the late 1950s and soon led to the first pulsed neutron capture log.

Synonyms: neutron generator

See: activation log,  chemical neutron source,  neutron interactions,  neutron porosity,  pulsed neutron spectroscopy log