Measurements of electron and ion beams emitted from the PF-1000 device in the upstream and downstream direction

In this paper we report on measurements of the energy spectra and other properties of the electron and fast ion beams emitted in the upstream and downstream direction along the z-axis of a large plasma focus device PF-1000, that was operated at 21-27 kV, delivering 290–480 kJ pulse. Measurements of the electron beam (EB) properties were performed using a magnetic analyzer. Properties of the ion beams were measured by means of pinhole cameras equipped with PM-355 nuclear track detectors and placed at various angles (0, 60 and 180 centigrade) to the discharge axis. Measurements revealed a complex spatial structure of the fast ion beams. The ion measurements behind the PF-1000 collector proved that some fast deuterons are emitted also in the upstream direction. Measurements of the EBs emitted in the upstream and downstream direction revealed electron energies in the range from approximately 40 keV to approximately 800 keV. These spectra confirm that in localized regions within the PF-1000 plasma column there appear strong fields accelerating charged particles in different directions along the discharge axis.