Track measurements of fast particle streams in pulsed discharge explosive plasma

This paper reports results of track registration for fast particles from the hot spot sparked inside a metal target. CR-39 track detectors placed in the ion pinhole camera, a magnetic analyzer, and Thomson-type mass-spectrometer in order were used to obtain images of the hot spot and to determine spectra of the fast particles. Using track detectors in the pinhole camera, we have obtained specific split images. The “average etch rate ratio versus track length” locus for track sample groups is depicted by means of squared diameters asymptotic method. Our analysis shows the majority of tracks belong to hydrogen nuclei. The track loci for the detectors from the pinhole or analyzers turn out to be split into two parallel streaks that have been interpreted as a proton–deuteron doublet. Data obtained using the Thomson analyzer clearly demonstrate the equal numbers of protons and deuterons for some parallel parabola sections.