Optimization and Modeling of a low energy (2 – 4 J) Dense Plasma Focus Device for Soft X-ray Generation

The Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) device is a non-radioactive electromagnetic coaxial accelerator and compressor with a relatively simple operating principle. This compression of plasma due to self-generated electromagnetic force (J x B) is known as pinch. In this device a super-hot (~1 keV) and super-dense (>10¹⁹ cm^-3) plasma is generated for a short lifetime (~100s of ns) in pinch. During pinch, pulsed fusion neutron yield (~14.5 MeV) high-energy electron beam (~1 MeV) and ion beam (~MeV) along with electromagnetic radiations (~GHz) are emitted when operated in deuterium [1]. Beside, this the machine also emits a copious amount of soft X-rays (~100s eV) and hard X-rays (100s keV), especially when operated with high-Z gases [2-4]. This machine is discovered independently by J. W. Mather in the early 1960s [5] and by N.V. Filipov in 1964 [6]. The device is the simplest in construction, cost-effective and easy maintenance [7, 8]. 

The pulsed X-ray yield emitted from this machine has the highest intensity among all other existing devices of equivalent operating energy [8]. There is ongoing research on the DPF device that demonstrates a wide range of real-life potential applications as a pulsed X-ray source of X-ray spectroscopy [9], X-ray microscopy and lithography for the manufacture of integrated circuits [10], X-ray laser pumping [11], X-ray crystallography [12], X-ray radiography [13], X-ray back-lighter [14] and X-ray micromachining [15] etc. As a neutron source, the machine is also used in medical, security inspection applications and materials modification with fabrication [16]. Therefore, in this present project we will optimize and develop a model of low energy (2 - 4 J) DPF machine for intense soft X-ray yield generation. In future, the optimized machine may be established in a laboratory for good soft X-ray yield which will be used in different fields of applications.

References:

[1]  S. V. Springham et al. Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 42(10) 1023 (2000).

[2]  S. Lee, et al. Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 51(7) 075006 (2009).

[3]   M. Liu Soft X-rays from compact plasma focus Ph.D. Thesis Nanyang Technological University (1996).

[4]  M. Habibi et al. J. Fusion Energy 29 49 (2010).

[5]  N. V. Filippov et al. Nucl. Fusion Suppl. 2 577 (1962).

[6]  J. W. Mather Phys. Fluids 7(11) S28 (1964).

[7]  M. Zakaullah et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 78(7) 877 (2001).

[8]   S. Lee et al. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 26(4) 1119 (1998).

[9]   M. Ahmad et al. Mate. Rese. Express 6(9) 096412 (2019).

[10]  S. M. Hassan and P. Lee Plasma Science and Technology for Emerging Economies 292 (Springer Singapore 2017).

[11]  A. Depresseux et al. Nat. Photonics 9(12) 817 (2015).

[12]  J. Miao et al. Sci. 348(6234) 535 (2015).

[13]  S. Hussain et al. Plasma Sour. Sci. Technol. 14(1) 61 (2005).

[14]  F. N. Beg et al. J. Appl. Phys. 88(6) 3225 (2000).

[15]  V. A. Gribkov et al. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 30(3) 1338 (2002).

[16]  R. S. Rawat et al. J.  App. Phys. 95(12) 7730 (2004).

• Research Project