COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF LOW-ENERGY MATHER-TYPE PLASMA-FOCUS DEVICES

The characteristics of three different low energy Mather-type plasma f ocus devices are investigated and compared. The effects of anode lengt h and insulator sleeve length on neutron yield and on fluence anisotro py are studied. It is found that proper tuning of the focus tube induc tance with that of the driver enhances the neutron emission from the f ocus region, increases the neutron pulse width and broadens the deuter ium pressure range for high neutron yield. The insulator contamination which occurs due to Cu evaporated from the electrodes drastically cha nges the device characteristic. The possiblity of using the device as a multi-pulse neutron generator is also examined.