Gamma ray measurements with photoconductive detectors using a dense plasma focus
- L-281 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave., Livermore, California 94551 (United States)
- National Security Technologies, LLC, P.O. Box 98518, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8518 (United States)
Photons in the MeV range emitted from the dense plasma focus (DPF) at the NSTec North Las Vegas Facility have been measured with both neutron-damaged GaAs and natural diamond photoconductive detectors (PCDs). The DPF creates or “pinches” plasmas of various gases (e.g., H{sub 2}, D{sub 2}, Ne, Ar., etc.) that have enough energy to create MeV photons from either bremsstrahlung and/or (n,n{sup ′}) reactions if D{sub 2} gas is used. The high bandwidth of the PCDs enabled the first ever measurement of the fast micro-pinches present in DPF plasmas. Comparisons between a slower more conventional scintillator/photomultiplier tube based nuclear physics detectors were made to validate the response of the PCDs to fast intense MeV photon signals. Significant discrepancies in the diamond PCD responses were evident.
- OSTI ID:
- 22308939
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 85; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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