Preliminary neutron experiments with the PF-1000 plasma-focus facility

The paper reports on first neutron-emission experiments carried out with the modernized PF-1000 facility. Current sheath dynamics was investigated by means of high-speed cameras. Based on smear pictures, which were taken through a narrow radial slit, the compression velocity was determined. The total neutron yield and angular distribution anisotropy were measured with four silver-activation counters placed at different angles to the electrode axis. It was found that for each initial D₂-filling pressure value, with an increase in the charging voltage (V₀), the neutron yield increases to some maximum and with further increase in V₀ the neutron emission decreases. The highest neutron yield registered so far has been 2·10¹¹ per shot. The neutron emission anisotropy seems to be lower than that registered in other plasma-focus experiments. The neutron energy spectra, which were measured by means of a scintillating probe in the upstream direction, have been shifted toward lower energy (2.2-2.3 MeV).