ENHANCED RADIATION EMISSION FROM PLASMA FOCUS WITH PRE-IONIZATION: ENHANCED RADIATION EMISSION FROM A (2-4)kJ MATHER-TYPE PLASMA FOCUS IN PRESENCE OF PRE-IONIZATION

The work reported here was based on investigations of neutrons and X-rays emitted from a Mather type plasma focus by varying charging voltage (capacitor energy/ discharged current) and employing different pre-ionization schemes to obtain high neutrons and photons emission. It was observed that the radiated energy strongly depends upon the filling pressure as well as on effectiveness of pre-ionization. There was a significant increase in the neutron emission, characteristics and total X-ray emission with pre-ionization caused by depleted uranium as compared to other pre-ionization schemes. Thus pre-ionization prior to pulse discharge plays an important role in the breakdown phase of the plasma focus operation, broadens pressure range for both neutron and X-ray emission and improves shot to shot reproducibility of the system. The results may be interesting for using a plasma focus as an enhanced neutron and X-ray emission source for different applications.

Dr.Sarfraz Ahmad was born in Sargodha Pakistan in 1972. He received the M.Sc degree in Physics from the UAF in 1998 and the M. Phil. and Ph.D degrees in Plasma Physics from the QAU Islamabad in 2002 and 2006.Presently he is working as Sr.Scientist in NTFP of Pakistan. His field of interests is Plasma diagnostics and Plasma wall interaction.