Diagnostic systems for the nuclear fusion and plasma research in the PF - 24 plasma

Plasma focus (PF) device belongs to the family of dynamic non-cylindrical Z-pinches. In this device hot dense magnetized plasma is created as a result of a discharge between coaxial electrodes over a surface of isolator in a working gas. If the working gas is deuterium, then DD fusion reactions take place, in the so-called plasma column or plasma pinch, which is created at the end of a central electrode (anode) [1–4]. Over the last few years, the interest in plasma focus devices has grown because they are effi cient sources of fusion neutrons, fast ions, soft and hard X-rays, and at the same time, they are relatively cheap in exploitation. Thus, they can be used in – basic research on plasma physics and nuclear fusion, – testing new plasma and nuclear fusion detectors and diagnostic systems, – study on the mechanism of nuclear fusion reactions, and – study of plasma-wall interactions. Moreover, the optimization of the operation of PFs can help to obtain more effi cient and intense sources of neutron and X-ray radiation, which can fi nd use in different branches of science. The discharge in the Mather-type PF devices can be divided into three main stages: breakdown and Diagnostic systems for the nuclear fusion and plasma research in the PF-24 plasma focus laboratory at the IFJ PAN Łukasz Marciniak, Anna Wójcik-Gargula, Agnieszka Kulińska, Jakub Bielecki, Urszula Wiącek