Dense Plasma Focus as Collimated Source of D‐D Fusion Neutron Beams for Irradiation Experiences and Study of Emitted Radiations

A “table‐top” 2 kJ, 250 kA plasma focus, the PACO (Plasma AutoConfinado), designed by the Dense Plasma Group of IFAS is used in its optimum regime for neutron yield for obtaining collimated pulsed neutron beams (100 ns). A simple and low‐cost shielding arrangement was developed in order to fully eliminate the 2.45 MeV neutrons generated in the PACO device (108 per shot at 31 kV, 1–2 mbar). Conventional neutron diagnostics: scintillator‐photomultiplier (S‐PMT), silver activation counters (SAC), etc., are used to determine the minimum width of the shielding walls. Emission of very hard electromagnetic pulses is also studied. Collimation using lead and copper plates is made to determine the localization of the very hard X‐ray source. The maximum energy of the continuum photon distribution is estimated in 0,6 MeV using a system of filters.