Neutron emission time measurements for ICF targets

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1140137· OSTI ID:6906316

Lerche, R A; Kania, D R; Lane, S M; Tietbohl, G L; Bennett, C K; Baltzer, G P

The neutron emission time for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion targets is determined from data recorded with fast neutron and optical detector systems. Two types of neutron detectors are used. Radiation-induced conductivity devices have a 130-ps FWHM response and are sensitive to targets with yields greater than 5 x 10/sup 10/ DT neutrons. They measure the average neutron emission time with a precision of +- 50 ps and are fast enough to measure the neutron production rate within a target core as a function of time. Plastic scintillators coupled to microchannel-plate photomultiplier tubes have a 1.2-ns FWHM response and measure the average neutron emission time with a precision of +- 75 ps for targets with yields greater than 10/sup 6/ neutrons. Streak cameras record the incident laser power. Optical fiducial signals that are injected into each detector are used to cross time between the detector systems. Measurements made on 1-mm-diam spherical targets irradiated with 23 kJ of 0.35-..mu..m light delivered in a temporally square 1.1-ns pulse and yielding 10/sup 13/ neutrons show a burn duration greater than 300 ps and an average neutron emission time of about 850 ps.

• Research Organization: University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P. O. Box 5508, L-473, Livermore, California 94550
• OSTI ID: 6906316
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 59:8; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
700208 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ELECTRON MULTIPLIER DETECTORS
EMISSION
EQUIPMENT
ICF DEVICES
LASER TARGETS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROSCOPES
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NEUTRON EMISSION
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASTIC SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
X-RAY EQUIPMENT