Optimizing Neutron Production Rates from D-D Fusion in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device
Optimizing Neutron Production Rates from D-D Fusion in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device
复制标题
优化惯性静电约束装置中 D-D 聚变的中子生产率
DOI：
10.13182/fst05-a861
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发表时间：
2005
影响因子：
0.9
通讯作者：
G. Kulcinski
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
A. L. Wehmeyer;R. Radel;G. Kulcinski
摘要：炸药探测已被确定为使用聚变等离子体的近期商业机会。典型的爆炸成分含有低Z物质（C， N， O），这些物质不容易用传统的x射线或金属探测器检测到。然而，在D-D聚变反应中产生的2.45兆电子伏中子可用于探测手提箱、包裹或集装箱中的爆炸物或其他秘密材料。使用惯性静电约束（IEC）聚变装置可以实现稳态D-D操作。威斯康星大学的IEC装置在166千伏的真阴极电压和68毫安的表电流下，以1.8 × 108中子/秒的速度产生了D-D中子。这些中子产生率接近探测爆炸物所需的水平。为了提高和优化IEC器件中的中子产率，进行了改变阴极尺寸（直径）、几何形状和材料组成的实验。初步结果表明，改变阴极的几何形状或材料组成并不能显著改变中子产生率。然而，当阴极的直径从10厘米增加一倍至20厘米时，中子产生率增加了约20%。此外，在30 mA的米电流下，将阴极电压从34 kV增加到94 kV，使中子产生率从1.24 × 106 n/s增加到2.83 × 107 n/s。
Abstract Detection of explosives has been identified as a near term commercial opportunity for using a fusion plasma. Typical explosive compositions contain low Z material (C, N, O) which are not easily detected using conventional x-rays or metal detectors. However, 2.45 MeV neutrons produced in a D-D fusion reaction can be used for detection of explosives or other clandestine materials in suitcases, packages, or shipping containers. Steady-state D-D operation is possible using an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion device. The University of Wisconsin IEC device has produced D-D neutrons at 1.8 × 108 neutrons/second at a true cathode voltage of 166 kV and a meter current of 68 mA. These neutron production rates are approaching the levels required for the detection of explosives. In order to increase and optimize the neutron production rate in the IEC device, experiments were performed altering the cathode’s size (diameter), geometry, and material composition. Preliminary results indicate that significant differences in neutron production rates are not achieved by altering the geometry or material composition of the cathode. However, the neutron production rate was found to increase approximately 20% by doubling the cathode’s diameter from 10 cm to 20 cm. In addition, increasing the cathode voltage from 34 kV to 94 kV at a meter current of 30 mA increased the neutron production rate from 1.24 × 106 n/s to 2.83 × 107 n/s.