The Effect of Anode Shapes on Neutron Yield in a 4.4 kJ Dense Plasma Focus Device

The Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) serves as a source of neutrons and electrons. Experiments to investigate five different anode geometries were executed at 4.4 kJ (voltage ~20 kV, current ~230 kA). Spherical and flat anodes with and without a center cavity were explored. A series of time-resolved Schlieren probing, filtered X-ray PIN diodes, and neutron activation detectors were used to get information about pinch dynamics. It was found that neutron yield is optimized for a hollow anode with a maximum yield of 1.97E+08 per pulse, while x-ray emission is optimized using a solid anode, despite the geometry of the tip. This analysis leads to the conclusion that an anode with a cavity optimizes neutron yield while the anode without the cavity serves as an x-ray source due to electron beams.