Diagnostics of the temperature of a plasma created by a CO2 laser,from the UV radiation spectrum

Delivered at the Fifth All-Union Conference on Diagnostics of a High-Temperature Plasma (18–22 June, 1990, Minsk).     

Effect of non-linear thermal conductivity in a shock wave front at a velocity of 107–108 cm/s

The structure of a shock wave front at a velocity of 10⁷–10⁸ cm/s has been studied experimentally. The formation of a pre-heated layer caused by the thermal conductivity of the electrons before the shock wave has been observed for the first time.     

Dynamics of plasma corona of laser-irradiated spherical targets

The paper is devoted to an investigation of the formation and spreading of an inhomogeneous dense plasma heated by high-power laser radiation. The present status of the experimental and theoretical research in this field is analyzed. The “Kal'-mar” facility is used to study the dynamics of the plasma corona (electron density n_e ~ 10¹⁸–10²⁰ cm^-3), the law of motion of the critical (n_e ~ 10²¹ cm^-3) region of the plasma is established, and the dependence of the rate of compression of the shell targets on the initial parameters is determined. The electron temperature of the corona is measured with high temporal resolution in the course of the compression. A jetlike expansion of the “fast” ions is observed and investigated.     

Formation of Ion Fluxes of Laser Plasma by Azimuthally Symmetric Magnetic Fields

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - The formation of ion fluxes of the laser plasma by axially symmetric magnetic fields is studied. An algorithm for forming ion fluxes is developed and a computer...     

Model of forming deuteron fluxes and neutron generation in an axial plasma diode with inertial ion confinement

A model of forming deuteron fluxes and neutron generation in an axial plasma diode with two external anodes and a transparent internal hollow cathode is suggested. Such configuration provides longitudinal deuteron oscillations (inertial confinement) and required frequency of collisions with slow deuterons in the cathode plasma. On the basis of the suggested model of neutron generation, the neutron flux generated in the course of D(d, n)³ He nuclear reactions is approximately calculated. The examined diode system seems to be promising for the development of compact controllable neutron sources with increased operation lifetime and transverse size no more than 5 cm.     

Neutron generation in a sealed direct-acceleration tube with a laser-plasma anode

Experiments have been performed on neutron generation in small sealed tubes with laser-plasma ion sources. The nuclear reaction T(d, n)He⁴ has been employed with a laser frequency of 12.5 Hz in producing an output of 5 · 10⁹ n/sec. It is shown that efficient neutron generation is possible for laser pulse energies at the 10^–2 J level.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshyh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 11, pp. 6–10, November, 1981.We are indebted to Yu. A. Bykovskii, D. F. Bespalov, K. I. Kozlovskii, and A. Z. Mints for valuable advice and assistance.     

Neutron generation in small sealed accelerating tubes

The basic physical principles of neutron generation in sealed accelerating tubes, whose radius, as rule, does not exceed 10 cm, are examined. The results of the latest studies and developments of the main types of such tubes — gas-filled and vacuum — are systematized. The prospects for the development of efficient neutron tubes based on the use of a laer ion source, collective methods for accelerating ions, and also high-current pulsed discharges are discussed.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 3–31, August, 1985.     

Neutron Diagnostics for Deuteron Flows from Pulsed Plasma Formations in a Magnetic Field

A diagnostic procedure establishing a relation between the energy of a laser pulse W (0.1 ≤ W ≤ 0.8) and the number of deuterons N _d extracted from the laser plasma in a vacuum accelerating diode with magnetic isolation of electrons is presented. The diagnostics is based on the measurement of neutrons generated at a target, which is a part of the ion collector at the same time. The results of experimental research and numerical modeling for the accelerating voltage at a diode interval up to 400 kV are presented.