Neutron diagnostics for pulsed high-density thermonuclear plasmas

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Abstract
Time-resolved measurements of the neutron flux from the Scylla IV-P linear theta-pinch experiment have been made with scintillator-photomultiplier combinations. Calibration of the detectors is accomplished by a comparison of their time-integrated output with the total neutron yield measured using a foil-activation technique for which an accurate calibration has been established. The temperature of the Maxwellian ion velocity distribution that would produce the observed flux is obtained from the Maxwellian reactivity < sigmav >(DD) for D (d,n)He3 and measurements of the temporal evolution of the plasma column density and dimensions. This determination of the time history of the ion temperature is in good agreement with the plasma energy measured using other techniques.