High Z-low Z nuclear reactions in the plasma focus (PF) pinch

Summary form only given. A Mather-type PF machine with a field distortion element was fired at 7 kJ. The discharge chamber was filled with HZ (high-Z) gases (carbon, nitrogen, and/or oxygen) as well as LZ (low-Z) gases (deuterium and/or 3-helium). The atomic ratio of HZ to LZ atoms varied from 0.07 to 0.20 and did not affect PF pinch quality. MeV ions are accelerated and trapped, and induce nuclear reactions in high-density plasma domains. The /spl beta/ radioactive products were detected and the reaction yield, Y/sub p/, was determined for HZ-LZ reactions. Measured yield, Y/sub p/, renormalized to 2-component reference gas mixtures of HZ and LZ were plotted against the calculated reaction rate. The linear relation of Y/sub p/ and RR is valid for a variety of reactions with effective energy threshold from 0 to 4 MeV.