Specific features of X-ray generation by plasma focus chambers with deuterium and deuterium–tritium fillings

Abstract

The process of hard X-ray (HXR) generation in plasma focus (PF) chambers was studied experimentally. The radiation was recorded using scintillation detectors with a high time resolution and thermoluminescent detectors in combination with the method of absorbing filters. Time-resolved analysis of the processes of neutron and X-ray generation in PFs is performed. The spectra of HXR emission from PF chambers with deuterium and deuterium–tritium fillings are determined. In experiments with PF chambers filled with a deuterium–tritium mixture, in addition to the HXR pulse with photon energies of up to 200–300 keV, a γ-ray pulse with photon energies of up to 2.5–3.0 MeV is recorded, and a mechanism of its generation is proposed.