Temporal and spatial study of neon ion emission from a plasma focus device

Journal Article · Tue Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3560884· OSTI ID:21537312

Bhuyan, M; Neog, N K; Mohanty, S R ^[1]; Rao, C V. S. ^[2]; Raole, P M ^[3]

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1. Centre of Plasma Physics, Institute for Plasma Research, Sonapur, Kamrup 782402 (India)
2. Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar 382428 (India)
3. FCIPT, Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar 342044 (India)

The temporal and spatial characteristics of the neon ion beam emissions from a low energy plasma focus device have been studied by employing a multiple Faraday cup assembly and the CR-39 track detectors at different angular and axial positions. In addition, the operating gas pressures were also varied to study the temporal and spatial characteristics of the neon ion beam emissions. The Faraday cup analyses show that the ion flux strongly depends on the operating gas pressure as well as the angular positions. The estimated ion energy measurements at the aperture of the Faraday cup indicate that the plasma focus device is a source of polyenergetic ions ranging from approximately a few keV to a few hundreds of keV, irrespective of the angular positions. The exposed CR-39 detectors have shown the formation of multiple ion tracks with diameter ranging from 2 to 13 {mu}m. The populations of lower diameter tracks (2-6 {mu}m) are observed to be more at 0 deg. and 10 deg. angles. It is also noticed that the most populated track counts have shifted toward the higher diameter as the angular positions change from 0 deg. to 70 deg. The present study enables us to predict a clear picture of ion flux and energy distribution inside the plasma focus chamber that will help to use the device for material irradiation application in a more controlled manner.

• OSTI ID: 21537312
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3560884; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DIELECTRIC TRACK DETECTORS
EMISSION
ENERGY SPECTRA
FARADAY CUPS
NEON IONS
PARTICLE TRACKS
PLASMA FOCUS DEVICES
BEAM MONITORS
CHARGED PARTICLES
IONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
RADIATION DETECTORS
SPECTRA
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES