PPPS-2013: Observed multi-decade DD and DT Z-pinch fusion rate scaling in 5 Dense Plasma Focus fusion machines

Summary form only given. Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) machines are in use worldwide for a wide variety of applications; one of these is to produce intense, short bursts of fusion via r-Z pinch heating and compression of a working gas. We have designed and constructed a series of these, ranging from portable to a maximum energy storage capacity of 2 MJ. Fusion rates from 5 DPF pulsed fusion generators have been measured in a single laboratory using calibrated activation detectors. Measured rates range from ~ 10¹⁵ to more than 10¹⁹ fusions per second have been measured. Fusion rates from the intense short (20-50 ns) periods of production were inferred from measurement of neutron production using both calibrated activation detectors and scintillator-PMT neutron time of flight (NTOF) detectors. The NTOF detectors are arranged to measure neutrons versus time over flight paths of 30 Meters. Fusion rate scaling versus energy and current will be discussed. Data showing observed fusion cutoff at D-D fusion yield levels of approximately 1*10¹², and corresponding tube currents of ~ 3 MA will be shown. Energy asymmetry of product neutrons will also be discussed. Data from the NTOF lines of sight have been used to measure energy asymmetries of the fusion neutrons. From this, center of mass energies for the D(d,n)³He reaction are inferred. A novel re-entrant chamber that allows extremely high single pulse neutron doses (> 10⁹ neutrons/cm² in 50 ns) to be supplied to samples will be described. Machine characteristics and detector types will be discussed.