TY - JOUR
AU - Rawat, R S
AB - As a first step toward the development of a compact and portable, quasi-continuous pulsed neutron source, we have demonstrated a fast miniature plasma focus (PF) device as a compact nuclear fusion apparatus. The system operates with deuterium gas and produces an average neutron yield (Y90°) of (1 ± 0.27) × 104neutrons/shot at 70kA peak discharge current. In the range of 1.54mbar, a distinct and sharp dip in the current derivative signal indicates a strong pinching action with subsequent emission of hard x-rays followed by a neutron pulse. The yield and the time history of the neutrons were measured by both active and passive detection techniques (such as a 3He proportional counter, NE102A plastic scintillator and CR-39 SSNTDs). The overall dimensions of the apparatus, which includes a capacitor bank, sparkgap switch and the focus chamber, are 0.2m × 0.2m × 0.5m and the total mass of the system is 25kg. The scope of this paper is to evaluate/demonstrate the potential of such a fast miniature PF device as a compact and portable fusion apparatus producing neutrons while operating at relatively low energy.
TI - Compact sub-kilojoule range fast miniature plasma focus as portable neutron source
JF - Plasma Sources Science and Technology
DO - 10.1088/0963-0252/17/4/045020
DA - 2008-11-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/iop-publishing/compact-sub-kilojoule-range-fast-miniature-plasma-focus-as-portable-oJzle2NYb9
SP - 045020
VL - 17
IS - 4
DP - DeepDyve
ER -