Low-Energy Plasma Focus as a Tailored X-Ray Source

A low-energy (2.3 kJ) plasma focus energized by a single 32-F capacitor charged at 12 kV with filling gases hydrogen, neon, and argon is investigated as an X-ray source. Experiments are conducted with a copper and an aluminum anode. Specifically, attention is given to tailoring the radiation in different windows, e.g., 1.2–1.3 keV, 1.3–1.5 keV, 2.5–5 keV, and Cu-K line radiation. The highest X-ray emission is observed with neon filling and the copper anode in the 1.2–1.3 keV window, which we speculate to be generated due to recombination of hydrogenlike neon ions with a few eV to a few 10s of eV electrons. The wall-plug efficiency of the device is found to be 4%. The other significant emission occurs with hydrogen filling, which exhibits wall-plug efficiency of 1.7% for overall X-ray emission and 0.35% for Cu-K line radiation. The emission is dominated by the interaction of electrons in the current sheath with the anode tip. The emission with the aluminum anode and hydrogen filling is up to 10 J, which corresponds to wall-plug efficiency of 0.4%. The X-ray emission with argon filling is less significant.     

Low Energy Plasma Focus as an Intense X-ray Source for Radiography

Study on X-ray emission from a low energy (1.8 kJ) plasma focus device powered by a 9 μF capacitor bank, charged at 20 kV and giving peak discharge current of about 175 kA by using a lead-inserted copper-tapered anode is reported. The X-ray yield in different energy windows is measured as a function of hydrogen filling pressure. The maximum yield in 4π-geometry is found to be (27.3±1.1) J and corresponding wall plug efficiency for X-ray generation is 1.52±.06%. X-ray emission, presumably due to bombarding activity of electrons in current sheath at the anode tip was dominant, which is confirmed by the pinhole images. The feasibility of the device as an intense X-ray source for radiography is demonstrated.     

1 MV杆箍缩二极管辐射特性实验研究

依据现有的实验室驱动源能力建立杆箍缩二极管（RPD）粒子模拟计算模型,获得了工作电压为1 MV的RPD电参数特性及电子、离子时空分布特性,并设计了RPD实验装置。在1 MV驱动源平台上开展了实验研究,实验中采用B dot、D dot、热释光剂量片和SiPin二极管测试了RPD电流、电压、辐射剂量和光脉冲信号,分析了RPD电参数及X射线辐射特性。结果表明,阳极采用1.5 mm钨时,1 MV电压下1 m处辐射剂量约1 R,并得出剂量与电压Ud、电流Id的关系式D(R=1 m)=120U1.55d∫Iddt;二极管阻抗范围为26.4~36.7 Ω,空间电荷限制阶段平均阻抗下降率大于2 Ω/ns,磁绝缘阶段平均阻抗下降率小于0.5 Ω/ns;光脉冲宽度较电压脉冲宽度约缩短20%~30%,与电压、电流的关系为∝IdU1.55 d。实验测试的剂量和光脉冲信号结果与拟合计算式计算结果符合较好。     

X-ray Emission from Plasma Focus: Envisioned by Various Competitive Detectors

A study of X-ray emission from a Mather-type plasma focus device by simultaneously employing various X-ray detectors like silicon pin diode, photoconducting detectors (PCDs)—CVD-diamond and gallium arsenide (GaAs), plastic scintillator coupled with photomultiplier tube with and with out optical fiber is presented. The pin diode and PCDs are masked with 10 μm thick cobalt filter. The device is energized by 9 μF capacitor bank charged at 18 kV (1.45 kJ), giving a peak discharge current of about 175 kA, with hydrogen as the filling gas. The optical fiber coupling is found to be beneficial in minimizing the electromagnetic noise generated during the system operation.     

Soft X-Ray Emission Optimization Study with Nitrogen Gas in a 1.2 kJ Plasma Focus

Measurement of soft x-ray emission from a low-energy plasma focus operated with nitrogen within the pressure range of 0.1–1.0 mbar is presented. The x-rays are detected by using an assembly of Quantrad Si PIN-diodes with differential filtering and with a multipinhole camera. In the 1.0–1.3 keV and 1.0–1.5 keV windows, the x-ray yield in 4 geometry is 1.03 J and 14.0 J, respectively, at a filling pressure of 0.25 mbar and the corresponding efficiencies are 0.04% and 1.22%. The total x-ray emission in 4 geometry is estimated at 21.8 J, which corresponds to the system efficiency of about 1.9%. The soft x-ray emission is found dominantly as a result of electron beam activity on the anode tip, which is confirmed by the images recorded by a pinhole camera.     

A Simple Technique to Record X-Ray Fluence Anisotropy of a Source

A simple technique to record the fluence anisotropy of x-rays emitted from a source is presented. The simplicity of the technique and response curves of the photographic film, along with corresponding filters, enables one to readily use the same for diagnostic purposes in different sources such as plasma focus, vacuum spark, z-pinch, and laser-produced plasmas. As an application example, the technique is employed to measure fluence anisotropy of x-ray emission in a low-energy plasma focus operated with hydrogen. With increase in filling pressure, the anisotropy is found to increase, although the total x-ray emission is lowered. It is therefore concluded that at a lower filling pressure of 0.75 mbar, the x-ray emission is dominantly due to interaction of energetic electrons in the current sheath, whereas at a higher filling pressure of 2.5 mbar, the contribution of energetic electron beam is much higher.     

a-Si FPD在闪光X光照相中的应用可行性实验研究

非晶硅平板探测器(a-Si Flat Panel Detector)已在无损检测、医疗领域的连续式X光照相中得到了广泛应用,但在脉冲式(ns量级)闪光X光照相中的应用可行性及成像性能却未见报导.本文利用Varian公司生产的PaxScan 2520 HE型非晶硅平板探测器为接收系统,在450keV脉冲X光机上开展了闪光照相实验,考察了该探测器的应用可行性,测量了其探测灵敏度、像质计灵敏度、线扩散函数(LSF)及调制传递函数(MTF).实验结果表明该探测器可应用于闪光X光照相,且探测灵敏度较高,空间分辨率较好,是一种有前景的闪光X光照相图像接收系统.     

Investigation of the Neutron Production Mechanism in a 20 kJ Plasma Focus Device

Neutron production mechanisms in a medium energy plasma focus device (20 kJ) were investigated. The time-resolved hard X-ray, neutron signals were obtained with two detectors based on a plastic scintillator–photomultiplier combination located at two different angles (0°, 90°) to the plasma chamber and 10 m from the top of the anode. Neutron signal intensities at 0° and 90° were recorded for comparison. Neutron intensity width results in a distribution of neutron energy in the 0°, direction greater than the energy of thermonuclear neutrons (2.45 MeV).     

Study of Neutron Yield Degradation in a Low Energy Plasma Focus

The neutron emission degradation from a low energy (1 kJ) plasma focus (PF) system designed to develop as a sealed neutron source is investigated. The yield decreases from 4 × l0⁶ to 2 × l0⁶neutrons per shot, after 40 discharges. Analyzing the gas using the mass spectrograph, nitrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are found the dominant impurities added in the working gas. The addition of impurities depends on the number of discharges and not the time after the gas filling.     

Experimental Study of the Variation of Neutron Emission Anisotropy in a Filippov-type Plasma Focus Facility

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the variation of spatial anisotropy in neutron emission with working conditions in a 90 kJ Filippov-type plasma focus device. The working gases are D₂ and D₂ + 1%Kr. The results of our experiments have shown that the anisotropy factor decreases with increasing the initial pressure and/or discharge energy. Furthermore, it has been observed that by using D₂ + 1%Kr as working gas, the variation in anisotropy factor with initial pressure and/or discharge energy is relatively high, but by using D₂ it changes slowly. The highest neutron yield has been achieved by using D₂ + 1%Kr and a conic insert anode. Thus, we have studied the correlation between neutron yield and anisotropy factor for this case at fixed working conditions from shot to shot. At 16 kV discharge voltage and pressures around optimum, the behavior of anisotropy factor is generally increasing with neutron yield, whereas at low and high pressures, the anisotropy factor does not change significantly with yield.     

强流脉冲中性源的等离子体发生器电源

本文叙述了强流脉冲中性源等离子体发生器电源的特殊要求,给出了用于7×35cm~2大面积源的灯丝电源和弧流电源的主电路。     

Soft X-ray Imaging using a Neon Filled Plasma Focus X-ray Source

A 3 kJ Mather-type UNU/ICTP plasma focus device with neon filling is used, for the first time, as a soft X-ray source for imaging of thin biological samples including insects. A charge-coupled-device (CCD) based pinhole projection system, placed in a differentially pumped chamber, is used for radiography using neon soft X-rays. The image brightness, contrast and resolution have been optimized by varying soft X-ray yield, pinhole size, camera chamber length and X-ray filters. The system can simply be modified for table-top soft X-ray microscopy of thin biological samples.     

Investigation of the High Pressure Regimes Effects on the Neutron Production in Plasma Focus

Effects of high pressure regimes on the thermal mechanism of neutron yield and anisotropy factor with respect to the capacitor bank energy are presented by using moving boiler model. It is found that at high pressures, the thermal fusion reactions have a considerable effect on the neutron yield and anisotropy factor. We have compared the manner of the anisotropy in two low and high pressure discharges to investigate different behavior of the anisotropy factor as a function of bank energy in the difference working regimes of pressure for Dena PF.     

A Magnetic Electron Analyzer for Plasma Focus Electron Energy Distribution Studies

The paper describes the construction of a magnetic electron analyzer for pulsed beam electron energy distribution studies. The single shot information is obtained using a NMOS linear image sensor. Both the energetical and the sensitivity calibration were performed using careful numerical simulations. For simplicity, the signals can be read on an oscilloscope, and they are transmitted via an optic fiber, which allows the analyzer to work while connected to high voltage. The analyzer was successfully implemented on a 15 kV/3 kJ plasma focus device and was used to study the electron energy distribution in the 30–660 keV range..     

Electron Temperature Measurement Using PIN Diodes as Detectors to Record the X-ray Pulses from a Low-Energy Mather-Type Plasma Focus

In the experiment to determine the plasma electron temperature, a modified multichannel PIN diodes assembly is used as detectors to record the X-ray pulses from a low-energy Mather-type plasma focus device energized by a 32μF, 15 kV (3.6 k J) single capacitor, with deuterium as a filling gas. The ratio of the integrated bremsstrahlung emission transmitting through foils to the total incident flux as a function of foil thickness at various temperatures is obtained for foil absorbers of material. Using 3μm, 6μm, 9μm,12μm,15μm and 18μm thick aluminium absorbers, the transmitted X-ray flux is detected. By comparing the experimental and theoretical curves through a computer program, the plasma electron temperature is determined. Results show that the deuterium focus plasma electron temperature is about 800 eV.     

强流负氢离子源发射度测量仪研制

在加速器技术研究中,束流发射度是反映束流品质的重要物理参数,也是加速器和束流传输线设计的重要依据。100 MeV回旋加速器采用18 mA强流负氢离子源来产生负氢束,为了准确测量离子源的发射度,研制了一台强流负氢离子源发射度测量仪,介绍了其基本原理、机械设计和实验结果,得到了离子源的发射度信息,为100 MeV回旋加速器的设计提供了发射度参数。     

强流回旋加速器射频功率源末级谐振放大器的研制

为适应强流回旋加速器综合实验装置强流束调束需求,开展了对射频系统中功率源的末级谐振放大器的研制。功率源末级谐振放大器采用阴极驱动模式的三级真空电子管作为核心放大器件,充分地考虑了输入阻抗、输出调谐和输出耦合的调节需求,通过射频电路仿真和三维电磁场仿真等手段实现了对末级谐振放大器各参数的仿真。网络分析仪对末级谐振放大器的各项参数的测量表明:制造结果与设计参数高度一致;示波器对末级谐振放大器进行实验测试表明:8h假负载考验中功率稳定度好于1%,输出效率达70%,可为强流回旋加速器综合实验装置强流束调试提供射频功率的技术支持。     

Performance of a New Ion Source for KSTAR Tokamak Plasma Heating

In the experimental campaign of 2010 and 2011 on KSTAR, the NBI-1 system was equipped with one prototype ion source and operated successfully, providing a neutral beam power of 0.7-1.6 MW to the tokamak plasma. The new ion source planned for the 2012 KSTAR campaign had a much more advanced performance compared with the previous one. The target performance of the new ion source was to provide a neutral deuterium beam of 2 MW to the tokamak plasma. The ion source was newly designed, fabricated, and assembled in 2011. The new ion source was then conditioned up to 64 A/100 keV over a 2-hour beam extraction and performance tested at the NB test stand （NBTS） at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute （KAERI） in 2012. The measured optimum perveance at which the beam divergence is a minimum was about 2.5μP, and the minimum beam divergent angle was under 1.0° at 60 keV. These results indicate that the 2.0 MW neutral beam power at 100 keV required for the heating of plasma in KSTAR can be delivered by the installation of the new ion source in the KSTAR NBI-1 system.     

强流质子回旋加速器射频功率源级间功率稳定性研究

本文对强流质子回旋加速器射频功率源固态放大组合与电子管末级间的功率稳定性进行了研究和分析,针对实验中表现出来的不稳定现象进行了计算和仿真。结果表明,灯丝在室温和运行状态下所导致的级间电压驻波比系数（VSWR）分别为1.06和6.89;末级输入调节电容随平行板电容间距变化过于剧烈。通过阻抗匹配仿真、三维电磁场仿真及实验研究解决了由灯丝阻抗变化导致的末级输入端VSWR过大问题,并将输入调节电容的敏感度由每0.5 mm改变10 pF降至每5 mm改变1 pF。