A Fast Pulse, High Intensity Neutron Source Based Upon The Dense Plasma Focus

Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC) has built a bench-top source of fast neutrons (∼10-30 ns, 2.45 MeV), that is portable and can be scaled to operate at ∼100 Hz. The source is a Dense Plasma Focus driven by three different capacitor banks: a 40 J/30 kA/100 Hz driver; a 500 J/130 kA/2 Hz driver and a 3 kJ/350 kA/0.5 Hz driver. At currents of ∼130 kA, this source produces ∼1x107 (DD) n/pulse. The neutron pulse widths are ∼10-30 ns and may be controlled by adjusting the DPF electrode geometry and operating parameters. This paper describes the scaling of the fast neutron output with current from such a Dense Plasma Focus source. For each current and driver, different DPF head designs are required to match to the current rise-time, as the operating pressure and anode radius/shape are varied. Doping of the pure D2 gas fill with Ar or Kr was shown earlier to increase the neutron output. Results are discussed in the light of scaling laws suggested by prior literature.