One dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z machine

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 2018-10, Vol.89 (10), p.10I132-10I132
• 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: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION; GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; Imaging; Inertial fusion (reactor); INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; Neutrons; Scientific apparatus & instruments; Sensitivity enhancement; Stagnation point; Tungsten
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/1.5038118

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. 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.