A real-time multi-function digital coincidence spectrometer for neutron copper activation diagnostics.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Fusion Technology
• Particle Physics Diagnostics

Background:

• Copper activation is a key diagnostic for measuring 14.1-MeV neutron yields in deuterium-tritium fusion experiments.
• Accurate neutron yield measurement is vital for assessing fusion performance and progress toward ignition.
• Rapid advancements in electronics necessitate updated data acquisition systems for fusion diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multi-function digital coincidence spectrometer for improved neutron copper-activation diagnostics.
• To integrate advanced digital pulse processing techniques onto a single Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chip.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multi-function digital coincidence spectrometer.
• Implementation of digital pulse processing, including pulse shaping, multichannel pulse analysis, coincidence event selection, and coincidence multichannel time analysis.
• Integration of all processing functions onto a single FPGA chip.

Main Results:

• The developed spectrometer achieved a coincidence background of 0.013 counts per second.
• Copper-activation diagnostics can now be performed at the SG-III Laser facility with neutron yields as low as 1.0 × 10^10 per hit.
• The system demonstrates effective digital pulse processing for fusion diagnostics.

Conclusions:

• The multi-function digital coincidence spectrometer offers a significant advancement in neutron copper-activation diagnostics.
• This technology enables reliable fusion performance evaluation at lower neutron yields.
• The integrated FPGA-based system represents an efficient and modern approach to fusion diagnostics.