Radioluminescence of individual deuterium--tritium-filled glass microbubble laser targets

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.574271· OSTI ID:5805035

Smith, G H; Souers, P C; Fearon, E M; Tsugawa, R T; Darling, D H ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550

Visible radioluminescence was observed from single 200-{mu}m-diam deuterium--tritium (D--T)-filled glass microbubble laser targets. Most of the light is caused by tritium beta particles hitting the glass, and no beta particles escape outside the microbubble. At room temperature, white light is created with an efficiency of 0.2 to 0.3 photons/beta particle. This efficiency rises an order of magnitude at 35 K, probably because of freezing of radiation defects into the glass. It decreases when the D--T liquifies and drops even lower upon solidification. This is probably caused by pooling of the D--T at the bottom of the microbubble plus light absorption in small crystallites. Radioluminescence offers a means of certifying the D--T fill of individual microbubble laser targets made of transparent material.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5805035
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States) Vol. 5:5; ISSN JVTAD; ISSN 0734-2101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
700209 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Component Development & Materials Testing
DEUTERIUM
EFFICIENCY
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LASER TARGETS
MICROSPHERES
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RADIOLUMINESCENCE
SOLIDIFICATION
TRITIUM