Analytical estimation of neutron yield in a micro gas-puff X pinch

Abstract

In this paper, we present the basic concepts for developing a micro x pinch as a small-scale neutron source. For compact sources, these concepts offer repetitive function at higher yields and pulsing rates than competing methods. The uniqueness of these concepts arises from the use of microelectronic technology to reduce the size of the target plasma and to efficiently heat the target gas. The use of repetitive microelectromechanical systems (MEMs) gas puff technology, as compared to cryogenic wires or solid targets (for the beam-target alternatives), has the potential to be robust and have a long lifetime because the plasma is not created from solid surfaces. The modeling suggests that a 50 J at the wall plug pulse could provide >105 tritium (DT) neutrons and 103 deuterium (DD) neutrons at temperatures of a few keV. At 1 kHz, this would be >108 and 106 neutrons per second, DT and DD, respectively, with a 250 μm anode-cathode gap. DT gas puff devices may provide >1012 neutrons/s operating at 1 kHz and requiring 100 kW. The MEMs approach offers potentially high pulse rates and yields.