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Title: Analysis of the neutron time-of-flight spectra from inertial confinement fusion experiments

Abstract

Neutron time-of-flight diagnostics have long been used to characterize the neutron spectrum produced by inertial confinement fusion experiments. The primary diagnostic goals are to extract the d+t → n+α (DT) and d+d→ n+3He (DD) neutron yields and peak widths, and the amount DT scattering relative to its unscattered yield, also known as the down-scatter ratio (DSR). These quantities are used to infer yield weighted plasma conditions, such as ion temperature (Tion) and cold fuel areal density. We report on novel methodologies used to determine neutron yield, apparent Tion, and DSR. These methods invoke a single temperature, static fluid model to describe the neutron peaks from DD and DT reactions and a spline description of the DT spectrum to determine the DSR. Both measurements are performed using a forward modeling technique that includes corrections for line-of-sight attenuation and impulse response of the detection system. Lastly, these methods produce typical uncertainties for DT Tion of 250 eV, 7% for DSR, and 9% for the DT neutron yield. For the DD values, the uncertainties are 290 eV for Tion and 10% for the neutron yield.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1240967
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1225817; OSTI ID: 1341985
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-675169; LLNL-JRNL-686422
Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979; JAPIAU
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Applied Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 118; Journal Issue: 18; Journal ID: ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUMM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; 42 ENGINEERING; 73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS

Citation Formats

Hatarik, R., Sayre, D. B., Caggiano, J. A., Phillips, T., Eckart, M. J., Bond, E. J., Cerjan, C., Grim, G. P., Hartouni, E. P., Knauer, J. P., Mcnaney, J. M., and Munro, D. H. Analysis of the neutron time-of-flight spectra from inertial confinement fusion experiments. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4935455.
Hatarik, R., Sayre, D. B., Caggiano, J. A., Phillips, T., Eckart, M. J., Bond, E. J., Cerjan, C., Grim, G. P., Hartouni, E. P., Knauer, J. P., Mcnaney, J. M., & Munro, D. H. Analysis of the neutron time-of-flight spectra from inertial confinement fusion experiments. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935455
Hatarik, R., Sayre, D. B., Caggiano, J. A., Phillips, T., Eckart, M. J., Bond, E. J., Cerjan, C., Grim, G. P., Hartouni, E. P., Knauer, J. P., Mcnaney, J. M., and Munro, D. H. Thu . "Analysis of the neutron time-of-flight spectra from inertial confinement fusion experiments". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935455. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1240967.
@article{osti_1240967,
title = {Analysis of the neutron time-of-flight spectra from inertial confinement fusion experiments},
author = {Hatarik, R. and Sayre, D. B. and Caggiano, J. A. and Phillips, T. and Eckart, M. J. and Bond, E. J. and Cerjan, C. and Grim, G. P. and Hartouni, E. P. and Knauer, J. P. and Mcnaney, J. M. and Munro, D. H.},
abstractNote = {Neutron time-of-flight diagnostics have long been used to characterize the neutron spectrum produced by inertial confinement fusion experiments. The primary diagnostic goals are to extract the d+t → n+α (DT) and d+d→ n+3He (DD) neutron yields and peak widths, and the amount DT scattering relative to its unscattered yield, also known as the down-scatter ratio (DSR). These quantities are used to infer yield weighted plasma conditions, such as ion temperature (Tion) and cold fuel areal density. We report on novel methodologies used to determine neutron yield, apparent Tion, and DSR. These methods invoke a single temperature, static fluid model to describe the neutron peaks from DD and DT reactions and a spline description of the DT spectrum to determine the DSR. Both measurements are performed using a forward modeling technique that includes corrections for line-of-sight attenuation and impulse response of the detection system. Lastly, these methods produce typical uncertainties for DT Tion of 250 eV, 7% for DSR, and 9% for the DT neutron yield. For the DD values, the uncertainties are 290 eV for Tion and 10% for the neutron yield.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4935455},
journal = {Journal of Applied Physics},
number = 18,
volume = 118,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Thu Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}

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