Fusion-neutron-yield, activation measurements at the Z accelerator: design, analysis, and sensitivity
K D Hahn1, G W Cooper2, C L Ruiz1
1Sandia National Laboratories, Diagnostics and Target Physics, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|May 3, 2014
Summary
We developed a method to accurately measure neutron diagnostic sensitivity for fusion experiments. This approach accounts for complex factors, improving yield measurements for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and other applications.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Fusion Diagnostics
- Plasma Physics
- Experimental Reactor Design
Background:
- Neutron-activation diagnostics are crucial for measuring neutron yields in fusion experiments.
- Accurate diagnostic sensitivity is essential for reliable data acquisition.
- Existing methods may not fully account for complex neutron interactions in experimental setups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a general methodology for determining neutron-activation diagnostic sensitivity.
- To provide a framework applicable to various neutron-producing experiments, including inertial confinement fusion (ICF).
- To quantify the impact of real-world experimental conditions on diagnostic sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Incorporating non-isotropic neutron emission, 1/r(2) fluence decrease, and spatially distributed scattering/attenuation effects.
- Accounting for temporally varying neutron emission.
- Utilizing absolute calibrations and Monte Carlo simulations for validation.
Main Results:
- The methodology was applied to a copper-activation diagnostic on the Z Accelerator for ICF experiments.
- Diagnostic sensitivity was determined to be 0.037% ± 17% counts/neutron per cm(2).
- The diagnostic configuration was found to be approximately 40% less sensitive than an ideal geometry due to environmental and material effects.
Conclusions:
- The presented methodology offers a robust approach to calculating neutron-activation diagnostic sensitivity.
- Real-world experimental conditions significantly reduce diagnostic sensitivity compared to ideal scenarios.
- This work enhances the accuracy of neutron yield measurements in fusion research.
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