Neutron and energetic ion production in exploded polyethylene fibers

Neutron production in exploded-fiber z-pinch plasmas containing hydrogen or deuterium is reported. Yields in excess of 1010 neutrons have been measured with deuterated fibers. The character of the neutron emission changes from that consistent with a thermal-fusion source for large fiber diameters (100 μm) to one primarily due to energetic ion collisions for small fiber diameters (<25 μm). In the latter case, more than 1013 ions of multi-MeV energies have been observed. This transition in the character of neutron emission is correlated with a fundamental change in the nature of the plasma as evidenced by resistivity measurements.