From the 3H(d,γ)5He reaction to ICF diagnostics: A fusion of nuclear and plasma science

Cody Parker, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Friday, Sep 28, 3:00 PM - Special Seminar
1200 FRIB Laboratory

Abstract:  The γ-ray energy spectrum of the 3H(d,γ)5He reaction and the (d,γ)/(d,n) branching ratio for 3H+d fusion are important for basic nuclear science in unbound systems as well as inertial confinement fusion (ICF) diagnostic development. Both quantities were measured at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory on the campus of Ohio University using the 4.5-MV tandem accelerator with a pulsed deuteron beam impinging upon a thick titanium tritide target by measuring the resultant γ-rays, neutrons, and α-particles. Major ICF facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) use signatures of the 3H(d,γ)5He reaction, as well as other nuclear reaction signatures as diagnostic tools for monitoring implosion performance. One such diagnostic, the Magnetic Recoil Spectrometer for time-resolved neutron measurements (MRSt), is currently being designed as the first diagnostic capable of measuring time-resolved neutron spectra of ICF implosions. Results from key off-line tests for the feasibility of the system, including the implementation of a deuteron conversion foil fielded on the hohlraum and testing the response of lead-free microchannel plates to 14-MeV neutrons will be presented. In addition, a brief overview of other accelerator-based measurements of reactions of ICF relevance and ICF-based measurements of basic nuclear physics will be discussed.