Fusion neutron production during deuterium neutral-beam injection into the PLT tokamak

Abstract

Fusion neutron emission of 1.5 × 10¹⁴ neutrons s⁻¹ and 2 × 10¹³ neutrons/pulse has been observed for PLT deuterium discharges with up to 2.5 MW of deuterium neutral-beam injection. The neutron time evolution and magnitude are consistent with theoretical calculations of the fusion reactions caused by energetic injected ions which are confined and slow down classically. The factor-of-two accuracy in the absolute neutron calibration is the major uncertainty in the comparison with theory. Neutron sawtooth oscillations ( 3%) are observed which can also be explained classically.