Design and manufacture of the titanium-based neutron target for a compact D-D neutron generator

•The titanium-targets for a compact D-D neutron generator are designed.•The calculated temperature of the targets meets the requirement of below 200℃.•The targets is fabricated successfully.•The target keeps its integrity after testing on the compact D-D neutron generatorThree Titanium targets named Spiral Target (ST), Complex Channel Target (CCT), and Single Channel Target (SCT) were designed for a compact neutron generator. Among them, the spiral target has the best thermal performance under the same cooling and irradiation parameters. All of three targets meet the requirement that the maximum surface temperature is below 200 ℃. The fabrication process of the targets was studied using brazing methods. Finally, the target performance was tested in the compact neutron generator, demonstrating its ability to produce neutrons up to 108 n/s, while keeping the integrity.