Characterization of the ionizing radiation emission of a plasma focus device

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The PF2kJ plasma focus device was studied as a pulsed source of x-rays neutron radiation. X-rays are emitted during the focalization process of the plasma if the device is operated using hydrogen as the filling gas. Fusion reactions can be obtained if deuterium gas is used, with the consequent emission of fast neutrons. The x-ray emission is characterized by spatial distribution measurements by using TLD100 dosimeters and radiochromic films, the linearity of the output, as well as the effective energy of the x-ray radiation by measuring transmission through different aluminum thicknesses. A low effective energy of 7.5 keV is estimated. The variation of the intensity of the emission in distance and the assessment of the radiation levels which a device operator may be exposed are also included as part of the x-ray emission characterization study. Personal equivalent dose value of 2.8 mSv/year is estimated in a normal regime of the device operation. This level is not harmful based on ICRP recommendations. Fast neutron fluence of the order of 105n/cm2per shot in 4π sr is estimated by means of 3He proportional detector, and preliminary measurements are performed by using pairs of TLD 600 and TLD 700 dosimeters.
Description
Tesis (Master of Science)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2018
Tesis (Master of Clinical Medical Physics)--Universität Heidelberg, 2018
Keywords
Citation