Plasma focus based repetitive source of fusion neutrons and hard x-rays

摘要

A plasma focus device capable of operating at 0.2 pulses per second duringseveral minutes is used as a source of hard x-rays and fast neutrons. Anexperimental demonstration of the use of the neutrons emissions for radiationprobing of hydrogenated substances is presented, showing a particularapplication in detecting water concentrations differences in the proximity ofthe device by elastic scattering. Moreover, the device produces ultrashort hardx-rays pulses useful for introspective images of small objects, static or infast motion, suitable for the identification of internal submillimetricdefects. Clear images of metallic objects shielded by several millimeters ironwalls are shown.