Field of researches and applications domains for compact and large-scale DPF devices: Current assets, problems and essentials

Abstract

Examination of the most important processes taking place in Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) device that lead to the production of very bright flashes of neutrons and X-rays is presented. It is shown that the current abruption (CA) phenomenon accompanied by the plasma-diode formation plays the key role in these events. Issues of matching of different primary loads with plasma inductive storage and subsequently with plasma diode are discussed. It is shown that at the intermediate energies it is possible to attain the perfect matching. Results in some applications of medium-sized DPF obtained recently in radiation material science, dynamic quality control, biology and medicine are presented. It is shown that for better matching at very high energies the classical intermediate energy compressing element can be used. Besides schemes with laser support switching are discussed. Extrapolations of DPF phenomena to very high and very low energies with their feasibility are examined. Envisioned applications of such huge and tiny DPF devices in power production, medicine and electronics are discussed.