Studies on scalability and scaling laws for the plasma focus: similarities and differences in devices from 1 MJ to 0.1 J (original) (raw)

Evidence of nuclear fusion neutrons in an extremely small plasma focus device operating at 0.1 Joules

Physics of Plasmas, 2017

We report on D-D fusion neutron emission in a plasma device with an energy input of only 0.1 J, within a range where fusion events have been considered very improbable. The results presented here are the consequence of scaling rules we have derived, thus being the key point to assure the same energy density plasma in smaller devices than in large machines. The Nanofocus (NF)—our device—was designed and constructed at the P4 Lab of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission. Two sets of independent measurements, with different instrumentation, were made at two laboratories, in Chile and Argentina. The neutron events observed are 20σ greater than the background. The NF plasma is produced from a pulsed electrical discharge using a submillimetric anode, in a deuterium atmosphere, showing empirically that it is, in fact, possible to heat and compress the plasma. The strong evidence presented here stretches the limits beyond what was expected. A thorough understanding of this could possibly te...

1 IC / P 6-50 Research on the Enhancement of the Thermonuclear Component of the Neutron Yield in Pinch Plasma Focus Devices

2004

The possibility to enhance the thermonuclear component against the beam target component of the neutron yield in plasma focus devices is being studied. At present, the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) has the experimental facilities and diagnostics in order to study plasma focus discharges in a wide range of energies (50J to 100kJ) and currents (40kA to MA). The devices at CCHEN are PF-50J, PF-400J, SPEED4 and SPEED2. As a part of our research program the possibility to study how to enhance the drive parameter (related with the plasma sheath velocity) and the plasma energy density and their role in the thermonuclear component of the neutron yield has been recently included. There are theoretical conjectures suggesting that increasing the drive parameter, it could be possible to increase the thermonuclear component of the neutron yield and to decrease the beam target component. Preliminary results of this research program are presented.

Preliminary results of Kansas State University dense plasma focus

2012

Kansas State University (KSU) dense plasma focus (DPF) is a 2.5-kJ DPF machine newly commissioned at the Plasma Radiation Physics Laboratory at KSU. The machine was designed to be used as a multiradiation source for applications in nuclear science and engineering. Neutrons are emitted from deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion reactions during high-power electric discharges at 17 kV, 140 kA, and 5 mbar. The machine circuit parameters were calculated using the short-circuit test. The emitted neutrons were measured using several radiation detection techniques. The 2.45-MeV characteristic D-D neutron energy was confirmed using the time-of-flight technique using a BC-418 plastic scintillator. The maximum neutron yield was roughly measured to be 2.8 × 10 8 neutrons per shot using a set of BTI BD-PND bubble detectors. Moreover, the neutron yield variation with pressure was measured and compared with the computed neutron yield using Lee model. Finally, the measured current showed good agreement with Lee six-phase model.

Optimized Design of Sub-kilo Joule Dense Plasma Focus and Measurement of Neutron Yield

Journal of Fusion Energy, 2020

This paper specifically talks about optimized design strategy of sub-kilo Joule Dense plasma focus (PF) fusion device in a full-fledged systematic manner. Recently, there are many pulsed power groups working in design and development of various PF devices in the range of sub-kilo joule energy. Few of them are publishing with the optimized operating parameters for the maximum neutron yield. Most of them, talks about the estimation of PF parameters based on traditional high voltage break down mechanisms in vacuum, plasma pinch behavior and neutron generation, which are optimized for higher energy level (few kJ to MJ) PF devices. It has been very tricky and iterative way to achieve maximum neutron yield for a sub kJ PF device. A conceptual design strategy is presented for estimation of four critical PF tube parameters. These four parameters are: Anode radius, cathode radius, effective anode length and insulator length. This is very important to know these parameters, in advance of actual fabrication and plasma pinch experiments. A 400 J PF device is designed and operated at 20 kV with the help of above design strategy in single go. Maximum neutron yield is measured 50% higher with wide range of deuterium gas pressure (6-12 mbar) among sub kJ PF devices. A detailed design strategy, experimental pulsed power system development, neutron measurement and results are discussed.

A plasma focus driven by a capacitor bank of tens of joules

Review of Scientific Instruments, 2002

As a first step in the design of a repetitive pulsed neutron generator, a very small plasma-focus device has been designed and constructed. The system operates at low energy ͑160 nF capacitor bank, 65 nH, 20-40 kV, and ϳ32-128 J͒. The design of the electrode was assisted by a computer model of Mather plasma focus. A single-frame image converter camera ͑5 ns exposure͒ was used to obtain plasma images in the visible range. The umbrellalike current sheath running over the end of the coaxial electrodes and the pinch after the radial collapse can be clearly observed in the photographs. The observations are similar to the results obtained with devices operating at energies several orders of magnitude higher. The calculations indicate that yields of 10 4 -10 5 neutrons per shot are expected with discharges in deuterium.

Experimental evidence of thermonuclear neutrons in a modified plasma focus

Applied Physics Letters, 2011

The PF-1000 plasma focus was modified by adding the cathode disk 3 cm in front of the anode. This modification facilitated the evaluation of neutron energy spectra. Two neutron pulses were distinguishable. As regards the first neutron pulse, it lasted 40 ns during the plasma stagnation and it demonstrated high isotropy of neutron emission. A peak neutron energy detected upstream was 2.46Ϯ 0.02 MeV. The full width of neutron energy spectra of 90Ϯ 20 keV enabled to calculate an ion temperature of 1.2 keV. These parameters and a neutron yield of 10 9 corresponded to theoretical predictions for thermonuclear neutrons.