Review of Recent Experiments with the Megajoule PF-1000 Plasma Focus Device

Abstract

PF-1000 was operated successfully in the Mather type plasma focus mode at 1 MJ energy level with neutron yields per shot exceeding 2 · 1011. Various diagnostics were applied, including temporal voltage and current monitoring, soft and hard X-ray and neutron detection. Neutron spectra were measured by an 85 m upstream positioned scintillator/photomultiplier detector. Often two (or more) neutron pulses, about 2 μs apart, were registered. Maximum neutron energy, measured upstream, amounted to 2.95 ± 0.15 MeV, i.e. appreciably higher than that of the d-d reaction energy of 2.45 MeV. The reason for the multiple X-ray and neutron pulses is possibly re-breakdown in the insulator region at pinch time and has to be further investigated.