Kansas State University Dense Plasma Focus (KSU-DPF) initial neutron results

Summary form only given. A 12.5 μF, 20kV, 2.5 kJ Dense Plasma Focus was newly commissioned at the Plasma Radiation Physics Laboratory, Kansas State University (KSU). The machine was designed as a compact, nanosecond, multi-radiation source for applications in nuclear science and engineering. During Deuterium-Deuterium D-D discharge at 17 kV, 140 kA and 5 mbar fusion neutrons were measured using several detection techniques. The 2.45 MeV characteristic D-D fusion neutron energy was confirmed by time of flight technique by using of BC-418 plastic scintillator. The maximum neutron yield was roughly measured to be 2.8 × 10⁸ neutrons per pulse as measured by BTI BD-PND bubble detector (6.7 bubble/mrem). Moreover, the neutron yield at different pressures was measured using a LUDLUM LiI scintillator with Bonner spheres and LUDLUM ³He detector with Bonner sphere. A detailed MCNP analysis is needed to estimate and confirm the exact neutron yield.