Neutron emission from a fast plasma focus of 400 Joules

Abstract

The neutron emission from a small and fast plasma focus operating in deuterium is presented. The system operates at low energy in the hundred of joules range (880 nF capacitor bank, 38 nH, 20–35 kV, 176–539 J, ∼300 ns current rise time). The neutrons were measured by means of a silver activation counter, and the total neutron yield versus deuterium gas filling pressure was obtained. For discharges operating at 30 kV charging voltage, the maximum neutron yield was (1.06±0.13)×106 neutrons per shot at 9 mbar.