ISSN:
1089-7623
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
,
Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
Notes:
The efficient confinement of the energetic charged fusion products and the complete transfer of their kinetic energy to the plasma is of great importance for the realization of a fusion reactor which will depend on alpha-particle heating. In todays fusion experiments with deuterium plasmas, this aspect can be investigated using the 1 MeV tritons from the d(d,p)t reaction. The slowing down behavior of these tritons can be studied by measuring the 14 MeV neutrons from the t(d,α)n reaction (triton burnup). At ASDEX Upgrade a time-resolved diagnostic based on a silicon barrier detector has been installed to measure the time evolution of the 14 MeV neutron rate. Using the Si(n,p)Al and Si (n,α)Mg reactions the high energy neutrons, with an energy above the 6 MeV threshold, are converted to charged particles directly inside the semiconductor diode. The complete functionality of the detector system is demonstrated by the successful measurement of the complex spectrum of the charged reaction products in silicon triggered by fusion neutrons during plasma discharges. As an integral component of this diagnostic a time dependent burnup code based on classical slowing-down theory has been developed for the use at ASDEX Upgrade to analyze the complex time evolution of the 14 MeV neutron rate. First measurements are compared to the results of the code. A new application for such detectors is proposed, as in conjunction with the materials of the tokamak structure it can be operated simultaneously as an in situ activation system. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1148410
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