Palm top plasma focus device as a portable pulsed neutron source

Journal Article · Sat Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4808309· OSTI ID:22118645

Rout, R. K.; Niranjan, Ram; Srivastava, R.; Rawool, A. M.; Kaushik, T. C.; Gupta, Satish C. ^[1]; Mishra, P. ^[2]

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1. Applied Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085 (India)
2. Materials Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085 (India)

Development of a palm top plasma focus device generating (5.2 {+-} 0.8) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} neutrons/pulse into 4{pi} steradians with a pulse width of 15 {+-} 3 ns is reported for the first time. The weight of the system is less than 1.5 kg. The system comprises a compact capacitor bank, a triggered open air spark gap switch, and a sealed type miniature plasma focus tube. The setup is around 14 cm in diameter and 12.5 cm in length. The energy driver for the unit is a capacitor bank of four cylindrical commercially available electrolytic capacitors. Each capacitor is of 2 {mu}F capacity, 4.5 cm in diameter, and 9.8 cm in length. The cost of each capacitor is less than US$ 10. The internal diameter and the effective length of the plasma focus unit are 2.9 cm and 5 cm, respectively. A DC to DC converter power supply powered by two rechargeable batteries charges the capacitor bank to the desired voltage and also provides a trigger pulse of -15 kV to the spark gap. The maximum energy of operation of the device is 100 J (8 {mu}F, 5 kV, 59 kA) with deuterium gas filling pressure of 3 mbar. The neutrons have also been produced at energy as low as 36 J (3 kV) of operation. The neutron diagnostics are carried out with a bank of {sup 3}He detectors and with a plastic scintillator detector. The device is portable, reusable, and can be operated for multiple shots with a single gas filling.

• OSTI ID: 22118645
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 84, Issue 6; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
CAPACITORS
DC TO DC CONVERTERS
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
HELIUM
HELIUM 3
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRONS
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA FOCUS
PLASMA FOCUS DEVICES
PLASTICS
PULSES
SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
SPARK GAPS