Analysis of 3D deuterium ion emission angular distribution in plasma focus device using novel panorama polycarbonate detectors

Abstract Panorama mega-size polycarbonate ion image detectors (MS-PCID) were used for the first time in this study to detect images of deuterium ion emission angular distributions in a 3.5 kJ plasma focus device (PFD) space, as processed by novel panorama single-cell electrochemical etching systems. Images of ion emission angular distribution were analyzed from which infinite points can be selected in an image formed under a single pinch shot. By analyzing deuterium ion images formed on the polycarbonate cylindrical detector (∼3500 cm2 effective area), which covers PFD top base and cylindrical wall, deuterium ion emission seems isotropic and symmetrical in ∼4π PFD space with a dip on z-axis. Total deuterium ions tracks registered on the cylindrical polycarbonate detector was estimated ∼4.2 × 1010 per shot. Isotropic deuterium emission with such a high fluence, makes whole PFD space available for wide range of wide-scale applications, what has been limited with common small solid angle ion emission understanding.