Nuclear reactions cross section measurement using Z-pinch technology

Direct experimental estimate of the upper limit of the d + d → ³H e + n cross-section at deuteron energies below the keV region is obtained for the first time. The experiment was performed at the Pulsed Ion Beam Accelerator of the High-Current Electronics Institute in Tomsk, using high intensity, radially converging deutron beams, generated during implosion of liner plasma. A two-jet liner made of 17%D2 + 83%N2 gas, was used, with the inner jet serving as a target. The dd-fusion neutrons were registered by time-of-flight scintillator spectrometers and BF3 detectors of thermal neutrons placed in polyethylene moderator. The upper limit obtained for the d + d → ³H e + n cross-section for deuteron energy 440 eV is σ < 2 · 10⁻³⁴cm² at 90% confidence level. The result demonstrates that liner implosion technique can be used in the investigations of nuclear reactions between light nuclei at infra low energies, previously not accessible in experiments with classical beam accelerators.