Influence of electrode structure on neutron emission in PF-40

Summary form only given. The Mather type PF-40 Plasma Focus Device consists of 27/spl times/3 /spl mu/F capacitors arranged in parallel in nine units. Neutron emission was investigated in two ways. The neutron yield and its jetter of different end shapes and structures of the inner and outer electrodes were measured using a silver activation counter. At the same time, the propagation and structure of a plasma sheath in the pinch phase were recorded by a laser differential interferometer. A uniform and symmetric configuration of the pinch plasma is essential for obtaining higher neutron yield. The anode end structure effect the neutron yield through influencing the configuration and status of motion of the plasma sheath. By improving the electrode structure, we have obtained the average neutron yield of /spl sim/10/sup 9/ per shot at an operating voltage 20 kV (18 kJ) which is close to the value predicted by the scaling law. The jetter of neutron yield related average value is about (20/spl sim/80)%.