Development and performance characterization of a compact plasma focus based portable fast neutron generator

Rishi VERMA; Ekansh MISHRA; Prosenjit DHANG; Basanta Kumar DAS; Manraj MEENA; Lakshman RONGALI; Archana SHARMA

doi:10.1088/2058-6272/abb079

Plasma Science and Technology > 2020 > 22(11): 115506. > DOI: 10.1088/2058-6272/abb079

Rishi VERMA, Ekansh MISHRA, Prosenjit DHANG, Basanta Kumar DAS, Manraj MEENA, Lakshman RONGALI, Archana SHARMA. Development and performance characterization of a compact plasma focus based portable fast neutron generator[J]. Plasma Science and Technology, 2020, 22(11): 115506. DOI: 10.1088/2058-6272/abb079

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Development and performance characterization of a compact plasma focus based portable fast neutron generator

¹ Pulsed Power & Electromagnetics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Facility, Atchutapuram, Vishakhapatnam 531011, India
² Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
³ Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Rajendra Nagar, Indore 452013, India
⁴ Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India

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Received Date: June 06, 2020
Revised Date: August 09, 2020
Accepted Date: August 17, 2020

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Abstract

Abstract

The design details and performance characterization results of a newly developed plasma focus based compact and portable system (0.5 m × 0.5 m × 1.2 m, weighing ≈100 kg) that produces an average neutron yield of ~2 × 10⁸ neutrons/shot (of fast D-D neutrons with typical energy ~2.45 MeV) at ~1.8 kJ energy discharge are reported. From the detailed analysis of the experimental characterization and simulation results of this system, it has been conclusively revealed that specifically in plasma focus devices with larger static inductance: (i) pinch current is a reliable and more valid neutron yield scaling parameter than peak current, (ii) the ratio of pinch/peak current improves as static inductance of the system reduces, (iii) the benign role of the higher static/pinch inductance ratio enables the supply of inductively stored energy in densely pinched plasma with a larger time constant and it is well depicted by the extended dip observed in the discharge current trace, (iv) there is the need to redefine existing index values of the pinch (Ipinch ^4.7) and peak (Ipeak ^3.9) currents in neutron yield scaling equations to higher values.
- plasma focus,
- neutrons,
- time of flight,
- pinch current,
- peak current,
- plasma pinch,
- pseudospark switch

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References (38)

References

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