A Freon-Filled Bubble Chamber for Neutron Detection in Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments

Journal Article · Thu Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3554649· OSTI ID:1009658

Neutron imaging is one of the main methods used in inertial confinement fusion experiments to measure the core symmetry of target implosions. Previous studies have shown that bubble chambers have the potential to obtain higher resolution images of the targets for a shorter source-to-target distance than typical scintillator arrays. A bubble chamber for neutron imaging with Freon 115 as the active medium was designed and built for the OMEGA laser system. Bubbles resulting from spontaneous nucleation were recorded. Bubbles resulting from neutron–Freon interactions were observed at neutron yields of 1013 emitted from deuterium–tritium target implosions on OMEGA. The measured column bubble density was too low for neutron imaging on OMEGA but agreed with the model of bubble formation. The recorded data suggest that neutron bubble detectors are a promising technology for the higher neutron yields expected at National Ignition Facility.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC52-08NA28302
• OSTI ID: 1009658
• Report Number(s): DOE/NA/28302-997; 2009-179; 1977
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 82, Issue 3; ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English