Measurement of ICF Plasma Parameters by the Activation Method

A new and simple method is presented to measure ICF plasma parameters such as fuel ρR DT, pusher ρΔ R SiO2 and DT reaction number N react. To obtain those values simultaneously, the method uses at least three different activation test pieces with cross sections which have varying dependence on neutron energy. The Neutron energy spectrum becomes soft as ρR DT and ρΔ R SiO2 increase. The number of activation reactions changes with the neutron energy spectrum. It is shown that the values of ρR DT, ρΔ R SiO2 and N react are obtained from two ratios among the observed activation numbers. An analysis of the method and its application to ICF plasma are presented utilizing Cu, Al, Ni and Si as activation test pieces.