Mechanism for the x-ray and neutron emission from the plasma focus of a pulsed coaxial accelerator

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:7057708

Tolstolutskii, A G; Zolototrubov, I M; Zykov, V G; Novikov, Y M; Demin, V S

Experiments on the plasma focus of a coaxial accelerator with pulsed injection of the working gas are reported. The primary method used to study the plasma density was laser interferometry with large observation field and a high time resolution. The total neutron yield was also measured by an induced-activity method, and the soft x radiation was measured with a pinhole camera. The experiments were carried out under various accelerator operating conditions and with various gases. At high gradients of the neutral gas density and at high discharge currents (approx.400 kA) turbulence occurs in the plasma focus. Under certain conditions the instabilities do not disrupt the flow either in the coaxial system or in the plasma focusing region. Instabilities of the plasma focus are responsible for the production of fast electrons, heating of the plasma, and for the emission of x rays and neutrons. A study of the temporal characteristics of the observed phenomena shows that all occur simultaneously but may repeat several times in the course of the discharge.

• Research Organization: Physicotechnical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Khar'kov
• OSTI ID: 7057708
• Journal Information: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN SJPPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700104* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Kinetics-Experimental-- (-1987)
ACCELERATORS
BARYONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INTERFEROMETRY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA FOCUS
PLASMA GUNS
RADIATIONS
X RADIATION