Preliminary neutron scaling of the TAMU 460 kJ plasma focus

Summary form only given. The results from preliminary scaling studies on the TAMU dense plasma focus (DPF) using the deuterium fusion reactions will be presented. A particular emphasis of this scaling study will be the comparison between the TAMU DPF and the DPF 6.5 results from the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in 1973. The capacitor bank for the TAMU machine stores 460 kJ at a charge voltage of 60 kV. It can deliver >3 MA into a plasma focus load with a rise time of /spl sim/5 /spl mu/s. Physically, this bank is divided into six modules with 44.4 /spl mu/F in 24 capacitors. The energy storage at full voltage is <80 kJ per module. While the energy storage per capacitor is low at /spl sim/3.3 U/can, the reversal rating for these capacitors is 80%. Each module is discharged through a single high-current rail switch. The six modules deliver their current to the plasma focus load through 72, RG-17/14 coaxial cables. The primary neutron yield detectors for this facility are the Los Alamos standard silver detectors that use four geiger tubes in a (30 cm /spl times/30 cm /spl times/15 cm) block of polyethylene and 0.254 mm thick silver foils. Time of flight detectors located near the experiment and outside a 60-cm thick concrete shield wall will provide prompt and energy-resolved neutron generation data.