Publications

One dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z machine

Ampleford, David A.; Ruiz, Carlos L.; Fittinghoff, David N.; Vaughan, Jeremy V.; Hahn, Kelly D.; Lahmann, Brandon; Gatu-Johnson, Maria; Frenje, Johan; Petrasso, Richard; Ball, Christopher R.; Maurer, A.; Knapp, Patrick K.; Harvey-Thompson, Adam J.; Fisher, John A.; Alberto, Perry; Torres, Jose A.; Cooper, Gary; Jones, Brent M.; Rochau, G.A.; May, Mark J.

We recently developed a one-dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z facility. The instrument is designed for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments, which produce D-D neutrons yields of ∼3 × 1012. X-ray imaging indicates that the MagLIF stagnation region is a 10-mm long, ∼100-μm diameter column. The small radial extents and present yields precluded useful radial resolution, so a one-dimensional imager was developed. The imaging component is a 100-mm thick tungsten slit; a rolled-edge slit limits variations in the acceptance angle along the source. CR39 was chosen as a detector due to its negligible sensitivity to the bright x-ray environment in Z. A layer of high density poly-ethylene is used to enhance the sensitivity of CR39. We present data from fielding the instrument on Z, demonstrating reliable imaging and track densities consistent with diagnosed yields. For yields ∼3 × 1012, we obtain resolutions of ∼500 μm.