Realization of enhancement in time averaged neutron yield by using repetitive miniature plasma focus device as pulsed neutron source

Abstract

In this paper, we report the experimental demonstration of enhancement in time averaged neutron yield by an order of magnitude, using the fast miniature plasma focus FMPF-2 in repetitive mode. The newly developed FMPF-2 device (2.4 µF, 56 nH, 13.8 kV, T/4 ∼ 575 ns) operates up to 10 Hz in the quasi-continuous mode. Using pure deuterium as the fuelling gas, the time averaged neutron output of (6.2 ± 4) × 105 neutrons s−1 at 1 Hz operation was enhanced to (6.5 ± 0.6) × 106 neutrons s−1 at 10 Hz operation for the burst length of 30 consecutive shots. The stability in neutron emission in repetitive mode of operation from 1 to 10 Hz has also been investigated and the evidenced consequential issues of critical concern that are responsible for degradation in neutron yield during the repetitive mode of operation have been highlighted.