Experimental study of the plasma-focus device as a charged-particle accelerator. Final report, October 1982-May 1985
The dense plasma focus has been investigated at many laboratories as a possible fusion device. Typical plasma parameters for this device are electron temperatures of 1 keV, densities of 10 to the 19th power per cc, and confinement times of 100 ns. Characteristic of the plasma focus discharge are intense soft and hard x-ray, optical and microwave radiations. Also, emitted from the focus are electrons, ions and, with certain filling gases, neutrons. The emphasis of this work is to investigate the electron and ion emission from the plasma focus and the development of appropriate diagnostics to accomplish this task. The viewpoint of the focus as a bipolar diode may provide a natural description of the observed phenomena. A Mather geometry plasma focus device has been constructed. Diagnostics used for electron measurements include current monitors, a calorimeter, a magnetic energy analyzer, and an emittance meter. Ion beam measurements were performed using a flux-meter, a pinhole camera, an ion beam emittance meter, and a Thomson parabola analyzer. In addition, opening switch behavior has been investigated. Intense electron beams are observed with pulse lengths approximately 5 ns at energies of 20 to 200 keV and currents of 1 kA and above. The root-mean-square (rms) emittance of the electron beam is found to be approximately 1 cm-rad. Ion measurements show copious ion emission of very energetic ions up to several MeV. A measurement of rms emittance of the ion beam was made. Results support the bipolar diode model of the plasma focus device.
- Research Organization:
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Silver Spring, MD (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6589644
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-223047/2/XAB; NSWC-TR-88-394
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATORS
DESIGN
PLASMA FOCUS DEVICES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
USES
BEAM EMITTANCE
CALORIMETERS
DENSITY
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
FOCUSING
GASES
GEOMETRY
HARD X RADIATION
ION BEAMS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PROGRESS REPORT
PULSES
SOFT X RADIATION
BEAMS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FLUIDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTON BEAMS
LEPTONS
MATHEMATICS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
X RADIATION
430100* - Particle Accelerators- Design
Development
& Operation
700102 - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Diagnostics