Gamma ray measurements with photoconductive detectors using a dense plasma focus

Photons in the MeV range emitted from the dense plasma focus (DPF) at the NSTec North Las Vegas Facility have been measured with both neutron-damaged GaAs and natural diamond photoconductive detectors (PCDs). The DPF creates or "pinches" plasmas of various gases (e.g., H2, D2, Ne, Ar., etc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of scientific instruments 2014-11, Vol.85 (11), p.11E117-11E117
Main Authors: May, M J, Brown, G V, Halvorson, C, Schmidt, A, Bower, D, Tran, B, Lewis, P, Hagen, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ARGON
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
DEUTERIUM
DIAMONDS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
HYDROGEN
INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MEV RANGE
NEON
PHOTOCONDUCTORS
PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
PHOTONS
PLASMA FOCUS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
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Summary:Photons in the MeV range emitted from the dense plasma focus (DPF) at the NSTec North Las Vegas Facility have been measured with both neutron-damaged GaAs and natural diamond photoconductive detectors (PCDs). The DPF creates or "pinches" plasmas of various gases (e.g., H2, D2, Ne, Ar., etc.) that have enough energy to create MeV photons from either bremsstrahlung and/or (n,n(')) reactions if D2 gas is used. The high bandwidth of the PCDs enabled the first ever measurement of the fast micro-pinches present in DPF plasmas. Comparisons between a slower more conventional scintillator/photomultiplier tube based nuclear physics detectors were made to validate the response of the PCDs to fast intense MeV photon signals. Significant discrepancies in the diamond PCD responses were evident.
ISSN:0034-6748
1089-7623
DOI:10.1063/1.4891876