Numerical experiments on D-T gas filled PF1000 device with pressure variation

Abstract

Numerical studies have been conducted using the Lee model code to compute the neutron yield Yn of the PF1000 plasma focus device as a function of operating gas pressure ( P ). The result is compared with the available experimental data. The operating gas Deuterium (D) is substituted with Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) (1:1) gas mixture in the numerical studies and then the Yn is investigated with the function of P. Associated plasma dynamic properties such as axial velocity va, radial shock front speed vs, piston speed vp, and maximum pinch temperature Tpinch(max) are studied and correlations of the parameters with the pressure variation are established. Relevant plasma focus properties such as peak discharge current Ipeak, pinch current Ipinch, ion density ni, and energy input into the pinch EINP are discussed as functions of pressure thus provide correlation of Yn with other relevant plasma focus properties over the operating gas pressure range. The neutron yield performance of the D-T gas mixture is compared to that of the D gas and the optimum gas pressure for the highest neutron yield is identified.