Influence of electrode and insulator materials on the neutron emission in a low energy plasma focus device

The effect of insulator sleeve material on x-ray emission from a 2.3 kJ Mather type plasma focus device operated in argon-hydrogen mixture is investigated. The time and space resolved x-ray emission characteristics are studied by using a three channel p-i-n diode x-ray spectrometer and a multipinhole camera. The x-ray emission depends on the volumetric ratio of argon-hydrogen mixture as well as the filling pressure and the highest x-ray emission is observed for a volumetric ratio 40% Ar to 60% H 2 at 2.5 mbar filling pressure. The fused silica insulator sleeve produces the highest x-ray emission whereas nonceramic insulator sleeves such as nylon, Perspex, or Teflon does not produce focus or x-rays. The pinhole images of the x-ray emitting zones reveal that the contribution of the Cu K␣ line is weak and plasma x-rays are intense. The highest plasma electron temperature is estimated to be 3.3 and 3.6 keV for Pyrex glass and fused silica insulator sleeves, respectively. It is speculated that the higher surface resistivity of fused silica is responsible for enhanced x-ray emission and plasma electron temperature.

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“…Our results tally with Ref. 38, but our results are related to x-ray emission whereas the results of Ref. 39 are for the neutron emission.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

Effect of insulator sleeve material on the x-ray emission from a plasma focus device

et al. 2010

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“…neutrons and protons from D(d,n)He and D(d,p)T reactions, respectively) are: plasma ion temperature, volume and duration; magnetic field strength; and numbers and motions of energetic deuterons in the pinch. Perhaps because of the convenience of detection outside the PF chamber, most of the work in various PF laboratories has concentrated on neutron measurements [12,13,15]. However there are advantages in performing measurements of the *3 MeV fusion protons-especially for imaging which is exceedingly difficult to accomplish using neutrons [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Imaging of Plasma Focus Fusion by Proton Coded Aperture Technique

et al. 2011

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The coded aperture imaging (CAI) technique has been applied to investigate the spatial distribution of DD fusion in a deuterium filled 1.6 kJ plasma focus (PF) device operated in its neutron-optimized regime. The coded mask has been fabricated in Havar alloy with 20 9 20 pixels and 57 square holes (14% open area) using a Singer-set Cyclic Difference pattern. Five CAI cameras were employed simultaneously: one placed on-axis (0°) and four at 45°to the PF axis. CR-39 polymer nuclear track detectors were used to register proton tracks from D(d,p)T reactions. The detectors were covered by 75 lm Kapton film to stop all energetic charged particles (mostly deuterons) other than the 3 MeV fusion protons. A de-convolution algorithm was applied to the measured proton track coordinates to obtain images of the fusion source from the five directions. Typically (2-8) 9 10 4 proton tracks were registered by each detector per shot. Also two beryllium fast-neutron detectors were employed simultaneously to measure the associated neutron yield and anisotropy. The CAI images show the fusion source is a cigar-shaped region around the pinch column with no indication of plasma column instabilities. The proton anisotropy is comparable to the measured neutron anisotropy.

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“…Shyam and Rout [19] have reported 10 8 n/shot for a 2.2kJ plasma focus at optimum conditions. SBUPF1 is not a portable device, But, according to its good focusing action, neutron production and simplification in structure, this configuration could be a better choice for compact and portable PF neutron sources that will be designed to be used in field applications such as well logging…”

Section: Experimental Results and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construction and experimental study of a 2.5kJ, simply configured, mather type plasma focus device

Shirani

Abbasi

2010

Braz. J. Phys.

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In this work, a 2.5kJ plasma focus device (named as SBUPF1) has been constructed on the basis of a simple configuration. The most important characteristics of this configuration is relative simplicity and using less components in its structure compared with common configurations. SBUPF1 has been tested between 18-25kV and wide range of pressure for various gases including Argon, Neon and Deuterium. The system shows consistent and reproducible plasma focusing action as well as fusion neutron production (when deuterium is used as working gas).

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Influence of electrode and insulator materials on the neutron emission in a low energy plasma focus device

Cited by 34 publications

References 8 publications

Effect of insulator sleeve material on the x-ray emission from a plasma focus device

Effect of insulator sleeve material on the x-ray emission from a plasma focus device

Imaging of Plasma Focus Fusion by Proton Coded Aperture Technique

Construction and experimental study of a 2.5kJ, simply configured, mather type plasma focus device

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