0.2 Hz PLASMA-FOCUS-BASED SOURCE OF FAST NEUTRONS AND HIGH-ENERGY X-RAYS FOR APPLICATIONS

C MORENO; V RASPA; F DI LORENZO; A LAZARTE; P KNOBLACH; A CLAUSSE

México

Congreso; 16th IAEA Technical Meeting on Research using Small Fusion Devices; 2005

Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica

A small chamber Plasma Focus that operates at 0.2 Hz for several minutes is used as a source of hard x rays and fast neutrons. The device is powered by a microprocessor controlled capacitor charging power supply. The x rays are used for introspective imaging of metallic pieces, static and in motion, that allows for the detection of internal defects as small as 1 mm. The x ray radiation is able to produce clear images of objects placed behind several millimeters of iron and steel. The fast neutrons allow for the detection of hydrogenated substances and can discriminate between different concentrations of water located near the device.