nGen® Neutron Generators

Powered by patented Starfire technology, resulting in increased output and greater versatility.

Diagram of nGen Sealed Neutron Generator Technology showing features like Patented Biased RF Plasma Source, Patented Ultra-Compact HV Supply, Human Portable Lightweight, Patented Grounded Target on Snout, Easier to Shield Personnel Dose, Closely-Coupled Moderator greater than 3 pi, High Neutron Utilization, and On-Snout API Integration.

​Patented ​nGen® technology, results in increased output ​and greater versatility over competing generator technology. Flexible for many applications including elemental analysis, lab research, cargo inspection and radiography.​

Other key benefits include:

  • Lightweight, High Output

  • High Flux

  • Close Source Geometry

Do more with our end-mounted high-flux grounded targets, ​integrated HV power for ​efficiency, and industry-leading portability.

Suite of D-D and D-T
​neutron generators

Open black protective case with foam padding containing a metallic cylindrical device with warning labels.

Small

Portable

Easy to Ship

Black carrying case with multiple labels, logos, and warnings, including Pelican and Starfire Industries logos, designed for transporting sensitive or hazardous equipment.
A metallic device with a cylindrical shape, mounted on a black base with control buttons and connectors, set in a laboratory or workshop setting.

Simple, flexible, hand-carriable continuous
or pulsed neutrons with D-D or D-T

nGen-300 Series

A human-portable, flexible neutron generator grounded end-target design for greater utilization. All high-voltage is contained within sealed generator envelope. Connecting cable to power box is low voltage for field safety. This system is ideal for basic laboratory use or active interrogation with a wide range of operation from continuous to pulsing >kHz. Ideal for field use with battery pack.  Integrated neutron detector option for real-time feedback control. 

Neutron yield:
up to 1e7 n/s D-D,
​up to ​​5e8 n/s D-T 

Technical diagram of a neutron source setup, showing dimensions and cross-section view.

View Starfire's virtual presentation from the 2021 SORMA-West Conference
on using the nGen-300 series to replace radioisotopes used by the IAEA
​for nuclear inspection with integrated real-time feedback control.

A cylindrical metal object with a digital connector end, lying on a white reflective surface.

nGen-100

For Well Logging

Slimline generator utilizes D-D or D-T neutron generation to provide a safer alternative to radioactive AmBe sources for well logging applications.
The nGen-100 is designed to integrate with the Mount Sopris Instruments QL40 ​line of wireline tools.

Neutron yield:
1e7 n/s D-D standard configuration
​​5e8 n/s D-T version now available

Four individuals standing behind a booth at a trade show, with banners and display materials related to logging systems.

Starfire works with Denver-based ​ Mount Sopris Instruments​ on downhole neutron-based tooling.
View Starfire's presentation to the National Academy of Sciences on using D-D neutron generation for direct replacement of Am-Be radiochemical sources used for neutron porosity logging in oil/gas, environmental, mining and water well characterization.

Presentation slide titled 'Am-Be Replacement With Tunable Neutron Spectra For Downhole Applications' by Brian E. Jurczyk for Starfire Industries, dated December 17, 2020, at a virtual meeting of the National Academies of Science, Engineering & Medici
Slide titled 'About Us' from a presentation about Starfire Industries, with a picture of a group of people standing outside a building and an image of a compact neutron generator tube.
A presentation slide with the title 'Motivation...' discusses sources posing radiological dispersal device risks, government research into alternatives, and the cost of neutron generators. It emphasizes environmental and safety concerns with radioact
A scientific diagram showing the use of a neutron tool for well logging, including a schematic of the neutron detector, a graph of neutron slowing-down depending on rock type and porosity, and a pie chart illustrating neutron slowing-down in formatio
A scientific graph depicting the relationship between water-filled sandstone and clay minerals with respect to hydrogen weight fraction, showing a decreasing trend in product density as hydrogen weight increases, with data points labeled and a legend
Diagram showing neutron energy effects in nuclear formation, with color-coded lines indicating different types of reactions and energy ranges, alongside a graph illustrating relative intensity versus neutron energy.
Slide titled "Starfire's Staged Approach (Non-Radioactive)" showing three stages: 1) Developing neutron porosity tools, 2) Developing tuned neutron energy spectra with a large electronic device, 3) Scaling technology for deep well logging, with image
A technical presentation slide titled 'Stage 1: Technical Approach' explaining nGen technology and neutron detection hardware, with a diagram of a borehole probe showing detailed labeled components including detectors, a water-filled borehole, and fo
Graph comparing porosity measurements for various borehole sizes using D-D Neutron Porosity Tool, with annotations about detector positioning, accuracy, and sensitivity differences.
Line graph showing correction chart for obtaining porosity values for different lithologies, comparing limestone, sandstone, and dolomite.
A scientific chart showing a simulated log response with varying lithologies and porosities, including sandstone, limestone, and dolomite, with graphs representing neutron porosity and density data.
Diagram of the QL40-nGen-CNL compensated neutron logger, showing components like OPAL wireline power and telemetry, MSI telemetry with nGen piggy, nGen-100, grounded target neutron emission, optimized near and far detectors, and QL40 connector. Logos
Slide presentation titled 'SBIR Program Outcomes' discussing water, mining, and environmental well applications, with images of drilling equipment, groundwater systems, and three people at a trade show booth.
A presentation slide with acknowledgments to NNSA SBIR and ORS programs, partners at Mount Sopris, and contact information for Starfire Industries including a website link, email address, and a QR code. The slide is dated December 17, 2020.

nGen Applications

Prompt Gamma
Materials

Radiography

SNM Detection

A large cylindrical scientific instrument with metal, black, and brass components, featuring connectors, wires, and mounting brackets.

nGen-400

For Portable Neutron Imaging

​A lightweight, ultra-compact, sealed neutron generator designed for high neutron output, combined with small source diameter bringing you high-res images with modest imaging times. This portable system is offered in two versions: Very Intense Point Source (VIPS) or Extended Snout (ES). Pulsed and CW options available for radiography or activation analysis.

Neutron yield:
>1e8 DD n/s
​>5e9 D-T n/s

Fast Radiography with nGen-400

Comparison of different materials (Aluminum, HDPE, Rubber, Macor, Brass, Steel) using fast neutron and X-ray imaging. Top shows physical samples; middle shows neutron images; bottom shows X-ray images.

2021 IEEE Symposium on Radiation Measurements and Applications

Watch Starfire's Principle Research Scientist Dr. Matthew Coventry
present a poster at the 2021 IEEE SYMPOSIUM ON RADIATION MEASUREMENTS AND APPLICATIONS conference.

Starfire's patented grounded-target nGen technology facilitates integration with detectors for associated-particle imaging (API).  Watch this talk for more information on Starfire's future add-on option to the nGen-400 platform.