International Workshop On Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
ON PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS &

APPLICATIONS
Scaling Laws for Plasma Focus

Machines from Numerical Experiments
Date: 2nd – 3rd July 2009
Venue: National Institute of Education,
NTU, Singapore
By: S H Saw & S Lee
IPFS
Contents
 Introduction
 The Lee Model Code
 Computation of Neutron yield
 Computation of Neon SXR yield
 Numerical Experiments
 Scaling laws for neutrons from 10kJ - 25 MJ
 Scaling laws for neon SXR from 0.2 kJ - 1 MJ
 Conclusion
 Acknowledgement
International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

Scaling Laws for Plasma Focus Machines from Numerical
Experiments -S H Saw & S Lee 2nd – 3rd July 2009 IPFS 2
Introduction (1/2)
 Plasma focus machines: sources of neutrons
and soft x-rays.
 A simple machine - UNU/ICTP PFF 3 kJ

machine - 108 neutrons (in D2)
 The biggest machine - PF1000 1MJ machine –

1013 neutrons (in D2)
 Repetitive machine –NX2 – intense soft x-ray

source (in neon) with potential applications

Introduction (2/2)
 x-ray pulses from larger plasma focus devices
extending to the MJ regime – Filippov et al.
 Numerical experiments simulating neutron yield

and soft x-ray pulses from plasma focus
devices.
 Institute of Plasma Focus Studies

o International Internet Workshop on Plasma Focus
Numerical Experiments - Lee model code computes
realistic focus pinch parameters, neutrons, absolute
values of soft x-ray yield Ysxr consistent with those
measured experimentally.

The Lee Model Code (1/8)
 Realistic simulation of all gross focus properties
 Couples the electrical circuit with plasma focus
dynamics, thermodynamics and radiation
(1984,1990)
 Incorporates the vital role of a finite small
disturbance speed - „communication delay effect‟
(1996, 2000)
 Includes plasma self-absorption for SXR yield
(2000)
 Includes neutron yield, Yn, using a beam–target
mechanism(2007)
The Lee Model Code - Five Phases (2/8)
 Axial Phase
 Radial Inward Shock Phase
 Radial Reflected Shock (RS) Phase.
 Slow Compression (Quiescent) or Pinch Phase
 Expanded Column Phase

 Axial Phase
◦ Snowplow model:
 an equation of motion coupled to a circuit equation
 with axial phase model parameters: mass factor fm and
current factor fc.

 Radial Inward Shock Phase

◦ Elongating slug model:
 4 coupled equations with circuit equation, thermodynamics
effects(ionization and excitation), communication delay
effect (finite small disturbance speed);
 with radial model parameters: radial mass swept-up factor
fmr and radial current factor fcr ;
 computes the radial inward shock speed, axial elongation
speed of the column, speed of the current sheath (magnetic
piston), temperature and number densities.

 Radial Reflected Shock (RS) Phase

◦ Plasma is collisional:
 Four coupled equations thermodynamics effects(ionization and
excitation);
 with radial model parameters: radial mass swept-up factor fmr
and radial current factor fcr;
 computes the radial outward reflected shock speed, radial
inward piston speed, the axial elongation speed of the column
and the circuit.
 The plasma temperature behind the reflected shock undergoes
a jump by a factor about 2.

 Slow Compression (Quiescent) or Pinch Phase

Joule Heating and Radiation Emission:
◦ Three coupled equations:
 The piston radial motion equation, the pinch column elongation
equation and the circuit equation with thermodynamics
effects(ionization and excitation) ;
 With the radial model parameters: radial mass swept-up factor
fmr and radial current factor fcr; thermodynamic effects
incorporated,
 Duration sets as the transit time of small disturbances across
the pinched plasma column

 Expanded Column Phase

◦ Snowplow model:
 two coupled equations as in the axial phase; the column attains
the radius of the anode,
 use the expanded column inductance to compute the current.
 This phase is not considered important as it occurs after the
focus pinch.

The Lee Model Code (8/8)
 Institute for Plasma Focus Studies
◦ http://www.plasmafocus.net/
 Internet Workshop on Plasma Focus Numerical

Experiments (IPFS-IBC1) 14 April-19 May 2008
◦ http://www.plasmafocus.net/IPFS/Papers/IWPCAkeynot
e2ResultsofInternet-basedWorkshop.doc
• Lee S
Radiative Dense Plasma Focus
Computation Package: RADPF
o http://www.intimal.edu.my/school/fas/UFLF/File1RADPF.
htm
o http://www.plasmafocus.net/IPFS/modelpackage/File1R
ADPF.htm

Computation of Neutron yield (1/2)
 Adapted from Beam-target neutron generating mechanism
(ref Gribkov et al)
• A beam of fast deuteron ions close to the anode
• Interacts with the hot dense plasma of the focus pinch
column
• Produces the fusion neutrons
 Given by:
Yb-t= Cn niIpinch2zp2(ln(b/rp))σ /U0.5
where
ni = ion density
b = cathode radius,
rp = radius of the plasma pinch column with length zp,
σ = cross-section of the D-D fusion reaction, n- branch,
U= beam energy, and
Cn = calibration constant
NOTE

Computation of Neutron yield (2/2)
Note:
• The D-D cross-section is sensitive to the beam energy in the range

15-150 kV; so it is necessary to use the appropriate range of beam
energy to compute σ.
• The code computes induced voltages (due to current motion
inductive effects) Vmax of the order of only 15-50 kV. However it is
known, from experiments that the ion energy responsible for the
beam-target neutrons is in the range 50-150keV, and for smaller
lower-voltage machines the relevant energy could be lower at 30-
60keV.
• In line with experimental observations the D-D cross section σ is
reasonably obtained by using U= 3Vmax.
• The model uses a value of Cn =2.7x107 obtained by calibrating the
yield at an experimental point of 0.5 MA.

Computation of Neon SXR yield (1/2)
Neon SXR energy generated YSXR = Neon line radiation QL
 4.6 x10 31 ni ZZ n4 rp2 z f / T

dQL 2
QL calculated from:
dt
where :
Zn = atomic number,
ni = number density ,
Z = effective charge number,
rp = pinch radius,
zf = pinch length and
T = temperature
QL is obtained by integrating over the pinch duration.
NOTE

Computation of Neon SXR yield (2/2)
Note:
• The SXR yield is the reduced quantity of generated energy after plasma
self-absorption which depends primarily on density and temperature
• The model computes the volumetric plasma self-absorption factor A

derived from the photonic excitation number M which is a function of the
Zn,ni, Z and T.
• In our range of operation the numerical experiments show that the self
absorption is not significant.
• Liu Mahe (1999) first pointed out that a temperature around 300 eV is
optimum for SXR production. Shan Bing‟s (2000) subsequent work and
our experience through numerical experiments suggest that around
2x106 K (below 200 eV) or even a little lower could be better.
• Hence for SXR scaling there is an optimum small range of temperatures

(T window) to operate.

Numerical Experiments (1/2)
 The Lee code is configured to work as any plasma focus:
 Input:
o bank parameters: L0, C0 and stray circuit resistance r0;
o tube parameters: b, a and z0
o operational parameters: V0 and P0 and the fill gas.
 Standard practice: fit the computed total current waveform

to an experimentally measured total current waveform using
four model parameters
◦ For the axial phase:
 mass swept-up factor fm;
 plasma current factor fr;;
◦ For the radial phases
 radial mass swept-up factor, fmr; and
 radial plasma current factor fcr
 Important information apparent from the current trace:
◦ Axial and radial phase dynamics
◦ Crucial energy transfer into the focus pinch
Numerical Experiments (2/2)
 The exact time profile of the total current trace:
◦ depends on the bank parameters, tube parameters, operational
parameters, fraction of mass swept-up, fraction of sheath current in the
axial and radial phases.
◦ determines the axial and radial speeds which in turn affect the profile
and magnitudes of the discharge current.
◦ reflects the Joule heating and radiative yields.
◦ reflects the sudden transition of the current flow from a constricted
pinch to a large column flow (at the end of pinch phase).
◦ powers all dynamic, electrodynamic, thermodynamic and radiation
processes in the various phases of the plasma focus.
◦ contains information on all the dynamic, electrodynamic,
thermodynamic and radiation processes that occur in the various
phases of the plasma focus.
 This explains the importance attached to matching the
computed current trace to the measured current trace in the
procedure adopted by the Lee model code.

Scaling laws for neutrons from numerical experiments
over a range of energies from
10kJ to 25 MJ (1/4)
 To study the neutrons emitted by PF1000-like bank energies
from 10kJ to 25 MJ.
1) Apply the Lee model code to fit a measured current trace of the
PF1000:
C0 = 1332 μF,V0 = 27 kV, P0 = 3.5 torr D2; b = 16 cm, a = 11.55 cm or
c=1.39; z0 = 60 cm; external (or static) inductance L0= 33.5 nH and;
damping factor RESF= 1.22 (or stray resistance r0=6.1 mΩ).
2) Apply the Lee model code to the PF1000 like bank energies for a range
of C0
ranging from 14 µF (10 kJ) to 39960 µF (25 MJ):
 Voltage, V0 = 35 kV; P0 = 10 torr deuterium; RESF = 1.22; ratio c=b/a is
1.39.
 For each C0, anode length z0 is varied to find the optimum z0.
 For each z0, anode radius a0 is varied to get end axial speed of 10 cm/µs.

Scaling laws for neutrons from numerical
experiments over a range of energies from
10kJ to 25 MJ (3/5)
 Fitted model parameters : fm = 0.13, fc = 0.7, fmr = 0.35 and fcr=0.65.
 Computed current trace agrees very well with measured trace

through all the phases: axial and radial, right down to the bottom of
the current dip indicating the end of the pinch phase as shown
below.
PF1000:
C0 = 1332 μF; V0 = 27 kV;
P0 = 3.5 Torr D2; b = 16 cm;
a = 11.55 cm; z0 = 60 cm;
L0= 33.5 nH; r0 = 6.1 mΩ or
RESF=1.22.

10kJ to 25 MJ (4/5)
 Voltage,V0 = 35 kV; P0 = 10 torr deuterium; RESF = 1.22; ratio c=b/a is 1.39.
 Numerical experiments: C0 ranging from 14 µF(8.5 kJ) to 39960 µF (24 MJ)
 For each C0, anode length z0 is varied to find the optimum z0.
 For each z0, anode radius a0 is varied to get end axial speed of 10 cm/µs.
Yn scaling changes:
• Yn~E02.0 at tens of kJ
• Yn~E00.84 at the highest

energies (up to 25MJ)

10kJ to 25 MJ (5/5)
Scaling of Yn with Ipeak and Ipinch:

Yn vs Ipinch (higher line), Yn vs Ipeak (lower line)
10000.0
y = 10-12x4.5 Yn=3.2x1011 Ipinch4.5
and
Log Yn, Yn in 10 10
100.0 Yn=1.8x1010 Ipeak3.8

y = 7x10-12x3.8
where Ipeak = (0.3-5.7)MA

1.0
100 1000 10000 and Ipinch = (0.2 -2.4)MA.
0.0
Log I, I in kA

Scaling laws for neon SXR from numerical
0.2 kJ to 1 MJ (1/4)
 To study the neon SXR emitted by a modern fast bank energies
from 0.2 kJ to 1 MJ.
 Apply the Lee model code to a proposed modern fast plasma focus
machine:
1) With optimised values:
c=b/a =1.5
V0 = 20 kV
L0= 30 nH
RESF = 0.1
Model parameters : fm=0.06, fc=0.7, fmr=0.16, fcr=0.7.
2) For C0 varying from 1 μF (0.2 kJ) to 5000 μF (1MJ):
For each C0, vary P0, z0, and a0 to find the optimum Ysxr

0.2 kJ to 1 MJ (2/4)
 Computed Total Current versus Time
 For L0 = 30nH; V0 = 20 kV; C0 = 30 uF; RESF = 0.1; c=1.5
 Model parameters : fm = 0.06, fc = 0.7, fmr =0.16, fcr = 0.7
 Optimised a=2.285cm; b=3.43 cm and z0=5.2 cm.

0.2 kJ to 1 MJ (3/4)
Ysxr scales as:
•E01.6 at low energies in

the 0.2 to several kJ
region.
•E00.76 at high energies

towards 1MJ.

0.2 kJ to 1 MJ (4/4)
• Ysxr~Ipeak3.2 (0.1–2.4 MA)

and
• Ysxr~Ipinch3.6 (0.07-1.3 MA)
• Black data points with fixed

parameters RESF=0.1; c=1.5;
L0=30nH; V0=20 kV and model
parameters fm=0.06, fc=0.7,
fmr=0.16, fcr=0.7.
• White data points are for specific

machines with different values for
the parameters :c, L0, V0 etc.

Conclusion (1/2)
 The scaling laws obtained (at optimized condition)
for Neutrons:
 Yn~E02.0 at tens of kJ to
 Yn~E00.84 at the highest energies (up to 25MJ)
 Yn =3.2x1011Ipinch4.5 (0.2-2.4 MA)

 Yn=1.8x1010Ipeak3.8 (0.3-5.7MA)

Conclusion (2/2)
 The scaling laws obtained (at optimized condition)

for neon SXR:
 Ysxr~E01.6 at low energies

 Ysxr~E00.8 towards 1 MJ
 Ysxr~Ipeak3.2 (0.1–2.4 MA) and

 Ysxr~Ipinch3.6 (0.07-1.3 MA)

Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge the contributions of:
• Paul Lee and

• Rajdeep Singh Rawat
to various parts of this paper.

Papers from Lee model code
 S Lee and S H Saw, “Pinch current limitation effect in plasma focus,” Appl. Phys. Lett.
92, 2008, 021503.
 S Lee and S H Saw, “Neutron scaling laws from numerical experiments,” J Fusion
Energy 27, 2008, pp. 292-295.
 S Lee, P Lee, S H Saw and R S Rawat, “Numerical experiments on plasma focus pinch
current limitation,” Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 50, 2008, 065012 (8pp).
 S Lee, S H Saw, P C K Lee, R S Rawat and H Schmidt, “Computing plasma focus
pinch current from total current measurement,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 92 , 2008, 111501.
 S Lee, “Current and neutron scaling for megajoule plasma focus machine,” Plasma
Phys. Control. Fusion 50, 2008, 105005, (14pp).
 S Lee and S H Saw, “Response to “Comments on “Pinch current limitation effect in
plasma focus,” Appl. Phys. Lett.94, 2009, 076102.
 S Lee, S H Saw, L Soto, S V Springham and S P Moo, “Numerical experiments on
plasma focus neutron yield versus pressure compared with laboratory
experiments,” Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 51, 2009, 075006 (11 pp).
 S H Saw, P C K Lee, R S Rawat and S Lee, “Optimizing UNU/ICTP PFF Plasma Focus
for Neon Soft X-ray Operation,” accepted for publication in IEEE Trans. on Plasma
Science.
 Lee S, Rawat R S, Lee P and Saw S H. “Soft x-ray yield from NX2 plasma focus-
correlation with plasma pinch parameters” accepted for publication in JAP.
 S Lee, S H Saw, P Lee and R S Rawat, “Numerical experiments on plasma focus neon
soft x-ray scaling”, (to be published).

THANK YOU
Email: saw_sorheoh@intimal.edu.my
Website: 1) http://www.intimal.edu.my/school/fas/uflf/
2) http://www.plasmafocus.net/
3) http://iwpca2008.intimal.edu.my

Experiments -S H Saw & S Lee 2nd – 3rd July 2009 IPFS
The Plasma Dynamics in Focus
Axial Accelaration Phase
Inverse Pinch Phase
HV 30 mF,
15 kV
Computation experiment
& experiment
Pinch
dissembles
Radial inward
shock phase RS Expanded
a phase column
rp
phase
rs
tcomp
tf
radius
rmin
Fig 3. Schematic of radial phases

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INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

ON PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS &

Scaling Laws for Plasma Focus

By: S H Saw & S Lee

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 A simple machine - UNU/ICTP PFF 3 kJ

 The biggest machine - PF1000 1MJ machine –

 Repetitive machine –NX2 – intense soft x-ray

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Numerical experiments simulating neutron yield

 Institute of Plasma Focus Studies

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Radial Inward Shock Phase

 Radial Reflected Shock (RS) Phase.

 Slow Compression (Quiescent) or Pinch Phase

 Expanded Column Phase

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Radial Inward Shock Phase

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Radial Reflected Shock (RS) Phase

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Slow Compression (Quiescent) or Pinch Phase

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Expanded Column Phase

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Internet Workshop on Plasma Focus Numerical

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

• The D-D cross-section is sensitive to the beam energy in the range

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

Neon SXR energy generated YSXR = Neon line radiation QL

 4.6 x10 31 ni ZZ n4 rp2 z f / T

QL is obtained by integrating over the pinch duration.

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

• The model computes the volumetric plasma self-absorption factor A

• Hence for SXR scaling there is an optimum small range of temperatures

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Standard practice: fit the computed total current waveform

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Computed current trace agrees very well with measured trace

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

• Yn~E00.84 at the highest

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

Scaling of Yn with Ipeak and Ipinch:

100.0 Yn=1.8x1010 Ipeak3.8

where Ipeak = (0.3-5.7)MA

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

Ysxr scales as:

•E01.6 at low energies in

•E00.76 at high energies

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

• Ysxr~Ipeak3.2 (0.1–2.4 MA)

• Black data points with fixed

• White data points are for specific

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 Yn =3.2x1011Ipinch4.5 (0.2-2.4 MA)

International Workshop on Plasma Diagnostics & Applications

 The scaling laws obtained (at optimized condition)