Fusion-reaction-yield scaling with PF plasma current density

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:178212

Bortolotti, A; Mezzetti, F; Montanari, T ^[1]; Nardi, V; Powell, C W ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Ferrara (Italy)
2. Stevens Inst. of Tech., Hoboken, NJ (United States)

The scaling of the neutron yield Y from D + D reactions and, specifically, of its fluctuations {Delta}Y from discharge to discharge was experimentally determined with four plasma focus machines, as function of the peak plasma-current density J. The powering energy levels were W = 6 kJ for one PF machine (PF{sub 1}) 20 kJ for two identical PF machines 35 kJ and 50 kJ for a fourth machine (PF{sub 4}). The comparative tests at 20 kJ and 35 kJ had the same peak electrode current I = 1 MA, the same charging voltage of the capacitor bank 25 kV, the same ratio inductance/capacitance (L/C), but with C(PF{sub 4}) = 2C(PF{sub 2}) and L(PF{sub 4}) {equivalent_to} [T(PF{sub 4})/2{pi}]{sup 2}/C(PF{sub 4}) = 2L(PF{sub 2}). T(PF{sub 4}) {approx_equal} 1.4T(PF{sub 2}), is the measured period of the complete PF electric circuit, including the propagating current sheet between coaxial electrodes. The bearing on Y, {Delta}Y of the breech overvoltage during the pinch collapse and of the variations of J is experimentally determined. The data indicate that MaxY(PF{sub 4}) {approx_equal} mean value Y{sub Av}(PF{sub 2}) of Y, Y{sub Av}(PF{sub 2}) {approx_equal} 3Y{sub Av}(PF{sub 3}). The neural network analysis connecting Y and the current sheet multiplicity in the same discharge, was carried out as in earlier experiments.

• OSTI ID: 178212
• Report Number(s): CONF-950612--; ISBN 0-7803-2669-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CURRENT DENSITY
DEUTERIUM TARGET
DEUTERON REACTIONS
FUSION YIELD
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA FOCUS DEVICES
SCALING LAWS