One dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z machine

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 2018-10, Vol.89 (10)
• Main Authors: Ampleford, David J., Ruiz, Carlos L., Fittinghoff, David N., Vaughan, Jeremy D., Hahn, Kelly, Lahmann, Brandon, Gatu-Johnson, Maria, Frenje, Johan, Petrasso, Richard, Ball, Christopher R., Maurer, Andrew J., Knapp, Patrick F., Harvey-Thompson, Adam J., Fisher, John, Alberto, Perry, Torres, Jose A., Cooper, Gary, Jones, Brent, Rochau, Gregory A., May, Mark J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623

We recently developed a one-dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z facility. The instrument is designed for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments, which produce D-D neutrons yields of ~3 × 1012. X-ray imaging indicates that the MagLIF stagnation region is a 10-mm long, ~100-μm diameter column. The small radial extents and present yields precluded useful radial resolution, so a one-dimensional imager was developed. The imaging component is a 100-mm thick tungsten slit; a rolled-edge slit limits variations in the acceptance angle along the source. CR39 was chosen as a detector due to its negligible sensitivity to the bright x-ray environment in Z. A layer of high density poly-ethylene is used to enhance the sensitivity of CR39. Finally, we present data from fielding the instrument on Z, demonstrating reliable imaging and track densities consistent with diagnosed yields. For yields ~3 × 1012, we obtain resolutions of ~500 μm.