E. D. Vovchenko

Small-size plasma diode with a transparent internal cathode for neutron generation

A discharge plasma system for neutron generation based on the concept of inertial electrostatic confinement is considered. The system is made in the form of a gas-filled (1–60 Pa) diode with a composite hollow cathode placed at its center symmetrically to an embracing hollow cylindrical anode. Preionization of the discharge gap and an original design of the electrode system with a transparent central part make it possible to initiate a pulse high-voltage (100–150 kV) volume discharge in the ion oscillation mode. Estimates of the neutron emission in such a deuterium-filled diode show the feasibility of generating a pulse with a neutron yield on the order of 105 in the reaction D(d, n)3He, which is confirmed in experiments with an optimized geometry of the electrodes.

Model for Generation of Neutrons in a Compact Diode with Laser-Plasma Anode and Suppression of Electron Conduction Using a Permanent Cylindrical Magnet

A model for acceleration of deuterons and generation of neutrons in a compact laser-plasma diode with electron isolation using magnetic field generated by a hollow cylindrical permanent magnet is presented. Experimental and computer-simulated neutron yields are compared for the diode structure under study. An accelerating neutron tube with a relatively high neutron generation efficiency can be constructed using suppression of electron conduction with the aid of a magnet placed in the vacuum volume.

Deuteron flux production in a small high-voltage high-current diode with pulsed magnetic insulation

The results of new studies on the production of accelerated deuteron fluxes in a small ion diode with pulsed magnetic insulation of electrons have been presented. A plasma anode of the diode has been formed under the action of a 1.06 μm laser radiation with a pulse duration of 10 ns, a pulse energy of up to 1 J, and a power density on the target of 5 × 1015 W m–2. An accelerating voltage of up to 300 kV has been created using an Arkad’ev–Marx pulsed voltage generator with a stored energy of 50 J and a repetition rate of 1 Hz. A magnetic field of higher than 0.6 T for insulating electrons has been formed by a current pulse of the first cascade of the generator in a spiral line before a conical cascade. Stable deuteron acceleration to 300 keV with a current of up to 1.5 kA and a pulse duration of 0.3 μs has been achieved.

Study of the Insulating Magnetic Field in an Accelerating Ion Diode

The results of examination of the insulating magnetic field in an accelerating ion diode are presented. This field is produced in order to suppress the electron current and thus enhance the neutron yield of the D(d, n)3He nuclear reaction. The following two designs are discussed: a gas-filled diode with inertial electrostatic confinement of ions and a vacuum diode with a laser-plasma ion source and pulsed magnetic insulation. Although the insulating field of permanent magnets is highly nonuniform, it made it possible to extend the range of accelerating voltages to U = 200 kV and raise the neutron yield to Q = 107 in the first design. The nonuniform field structure is less prominent in the device with pulsed magnetic insulation, which demonstrated efficient deuteron acceleration with currents up to 1 kA at U = 400 kV. The predicted neutron yield is as high as 109 neutrons/pulse.

Neutron Diagnostics for Deuteron Flows from Pulsed Plasma Formations in a Magnetic Field

A diagnostic procedure establishing a relation between the energy of a laser pulse W (0.1 ≤ W ≤ 0.8) and the number of deuterons Nd extracted from the laser plasma in a vacuum accelerating diode with magnetic isolation of electrons is presented. The diagnostics is based on the measurement of neutrons generated at a target, which is a part of the ion collector at the same time. The results of experimental research and numerical modeling for the accelerating voltage at a diode interval up to 400 kV are presented.

Acceleration of deuterons from laser plasma in direct pulsed electron fluxes for generation of neutrons

We report the results of experiments in which laser plasma deuterons are accelerated toward beryllium and deuterated polyethylene targets in a drift tube by means of a direct pulsed flux of electrons accelerated to maximum energy of 250 keV. Neutrons produced as a result of the interaction of deuterons with the targets are detected. The yield of neutrons in some of the experimental series reaches 106 n/pulse. Using a pulsed magnetic field synchronized with the generation of laser plasma is proposed for increasing the neutron yield as a result of electron flux compression. This magnetic field in the drift region of electrons is created by a spiral coil of conical shape.

Acceleration of deuterons with suppression of electronic conductance in a vacuum diode with a laser target on the anode

We report new experimental results on the acceleration of deuterons in a compact coaxial diode with the suppression of electronic conductance by a constant longitudinal magnetic field. Plasma containing deuterons is created on a laser TiD target located on the anode. The pulse of accelerating voltage is formed by means of the Arkad’ev−Marx generator. The cathode symmetrically surrounds the anode and comprises a hollow permanent ring magnet with an inner radius of no more than 0.02 m and an on-axis induction of up to 0.4 T, which provides the magnetic insulation of the accelerating gap. The experiments demonstrate the possibility of obtaining accelerated deuterons with energy of up to 300 keV and a current of up to 0.5 kA with a pulse duration of 0.2 μs.

Laser plasma influence on the space-time structure of powerful laser radiation

This paper deals with the influence of laser plasma on the structure of the radiation field of a powerful Nd-glass laser with pulse energy up to 30 J and with the diameter of the output beam 45 mm. Laser plasma is generated by focusing the laser radiation on a low-density target such as nylon mesh and teflon or mylar films. Temporal profile of the laser pulse with a total duration of 25 ns consists of a several short pulse train. Duration of each pulse is about 2 ns. Notable smoothing of spatially non-uniform radiation structure was observed in the middle of the laser pulse.

Influence of soft X-ray of a vacuum spark with laser initiation on the surface properties of solid solutions CdXHg1-XTe

At a certain form of broadband source soft X-ray spectrum is expected to achieve selective radiation exposure to one of the elements of a multi-component material CdXHg1-XTe. In this case we can talk about a change of the surface properties of the substance as a result of selective absorption of soft X-rays.