Breeding 10[sup 10]/s radioactive nuclei in a compact plasma focus device

Abstract

Abstract. In the early 90's, it was discovered that a Plasma Focus (PF) system self-creates a plasma-tarp in which high energy-threshold nuclear-reactions occur at high reaction rates. Short life radioisotopes (SLR)s such as *F "F, 'b, r40, '% have been genaatd (lo6 -10' per pulse} with a PF-machine using 7 kJ energy storage to produce &e plasmas jY radioactivity from the SLRs is measured with rugged, Geiger counters inserted into the PF-chamber, zmd a sp&fic SLR is identified by its half-life. The PF chamba wore discharge) is Sued with a mixture of gases that constitutes the latter plasma-target -beam system, e.g., the elements required to produce specific SLRs through nuclear mactions. In this paper, arguments are presented showing that a modest sized PF-machine, using a 50 -75 kJ fast capacitor-hank, when operated at pulse f@rencies of l-10 Hz can produce 2 10' SLRs/pulse. This paper reports the results of testing a PF as a e breeder of SLRs with dual applications for: (i) Secondary Radioactive Nuclear Beams ion-sources (2 < 35), and (ii) as a breeder of radioisotopes for biomedicine (Z I 10) and/or PET imaging.

Re-appraisal and extension of the Gratton-Vargas two-dimensional analytical snowplow model of plasma focus. III. Scaling theory for high pressure operation and its implications

“…This suggestion is reinforced by the changing perception of the DPF device. Although the DPF was invented as a neutron source [12], its potential has been recognized for many other applications, in fields as diverse as radiation biology [13], surface modification [14], nanotechnology [15], production of short lived radio-isotopes [16][17][18][19] and rocket propulsion [20].…”

“…Two such potential outputs are production of short-lived radioisotopes [16][17][18][19] for medical diagnostics and production of fusion energy using advanced, aneutronic fuels [26]. In both cases, the reaction rate would increase at higher density, which scales with gas fill pressure as noted above, provided the energy spectrum of reacting ions can be maintained.…”

Preliminary tests and performance estimate of PFMA-1, the first prototype of a plasma focus device for SLR production

“…2. From theoretical calculations, under the assumption that the same well-established experimental scale law for neutron production from D-D or D-T reactions is valid also for SLR production with different coefficients, it is estimated [6] that about 1 Ci of 18 F can be produced @EOC of two hours of operation of a Plasma Focus with 150 kJ capacitor bank energy cycling at a repetition rate of 1 Hz.…”

“…Calculated and experimental yields for SLR production by a 7 kJ Plasma Focus operated in the endogenous mode (data taken from[6]). …”

“…In the past five years it has been shown that it is also possible to trigger, inside the pinch of a Plasma Focus, nuclear reactions leading to the production of short-lived radioisotopes (SLR) [6], [7] by using low atomic number (LZ) and high atomic number (HZ) gas mixtures. This type of production is classified as endogenous, in contrast with the two other possible types, the exogenous in-vacuum and the exogenous off-vacuum, which in turn require the irradiation of targets, inside or outside the vacuum chamber respectively.…”