Numerical experiments on the total D-D fusion neutron yield versus deuterium pressure for different energy plasma focus devices using the Lee model code

• Main Authors: Wahbe, S., Abou-Ali, Y., Akel, M., Lee, Sing, Marciniak, L.
• Format: Article
• Published: IOP Publishing Ltd 2023
• Subjects: QC Physics
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/38259/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Numerical experiments using the Lee model code were carried out to compute the total D-D fusion neutron yield versus initial deuterium pressure for nine different plasma focus devices PF50, AACS, PF400J, PF2.2, UNU-ICTP, PFZ200, PF24, PF78, Poseidon]. The computed data were compared with the published experimental results. In addition, the maximum discharge current, the pinch current and the pinch ion number density, as a function of initial deuterium pressure, were discussed, as well as their effect on the neutron yield. The optimum pressures that correspond to the maximum neutron yield Y-n were obtained for all considered devices, with reference to the specific plasma focus properties. The scaling laws for the D-D fusion neutron production, in terms of storage energies E-0 and pinch current I-pinch, were derived. The scaling of Yn with Ipinch and E-0 over the whole range of investigated energies up to 300 kJ has been obtained as follows: Y-n similar to I-pinch(5), Y-n similar to E-0(1.95). These laws are important in the planning and design of a plasma focus as a potentially powerful pulse neutron source.