Results of large scale Plasma-Focus experiments and prospects for neutron yield optimization

This paper summarizes results of the recent Plasma-Focus (PF) studies carried out with different PF facilities in Poland, which were operated at energies ranging from 100 kJ to about 1000 kJ. Particular attention has been paid to currentsheath (CS) dynamics, the emission of pulsed X-rays, fast electron beams, energetic ion beams, and fusion-produced neutrons. Some efforts, undertaken in order to increase the neutron emission, have been described. In particular, nuclear targets made of D2O-ice layers, which were deposited upon special cryogenic devices, have been applied in the PF-360 machine. An increase in the neutron yield from 2.4×1010 up to 3.8×1010 neutrons per shot has been achieved in 130-kJ discharges. With the PF-1000 machine, for the first time the well-formed plasma pinch columns were obtained in PF discharges performed at 1 MJ, and the neutron yield of 2×1011 neutrons per shot was achieved.