An experimental campaign was conducted to assess the feasibility of short-lived radioisotope (SLR) production within the pulsed discharges of a Plasma Focus (PF) device. This so-called "endogenous production" technique rests on the exploitation of nuclear reactions for the creation of SLR directly within the plasma, rather than on irradiating an external target. Until now only one research group has published data relevant to PF endogenous production of SLR, and the data seem to confirm that the PF has the capability to breed SLR. The campaign demonstrated production of O-15, F-17 and N-13 from the N-14(d,n)O-15, C-12(d,n)N-13 and O-16(d,n)F-17 reactions. A 7kJ, 17kV Mather-type PF was operated with natural nitrogen, oxygen, CO2 and deuterium in the vacuum chamber. Results to date confirm that, with a PF of this type, up to 1 mu Ci of SLRs per discharge can be obtained. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Preliminary Results on the Production of O-15 with a Plasma Focus Device.
ANGELI, Ergisto;TARTARI, Agostino;
2005
Abstract
An experimental campaign was conducted to assess the feasibility of short-lived radioisotope (SLR) production within the pulsed discharges of a Plasma Focus (PF) device. This so-called "endogenous production" technique rests on the exploitation of nuclear reactions for the creation of SLR directly within the plasma, rather than on irradiating an external target. Until now only one research group has published data relevant to PF endogenous production of SLR, and the data seem to confirm that the PF has the capability to breed SLR. The campaign demonstrated production of O-15, F-17 and N-13 from the N-14(d,n)O-15, C-12(d,n)N-13 and O-16(d,n)F-17 reactions. A 7kJ, 17kV Mather-type PF was operated with natural nitrogen, oxygen, CO2 and deuterium in the vacuum chamber. Results to date confirm that, with a PF of this type, up to 1 mu Ci of SLRs per discharge can be obtained. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
