The paper presents results of time-resolved measurements of fast deuterons emitted from high-current discharges of the Plasma-Focus (PF) type. The measurements were performed in a modified PF-1000U facility which is operated at the IFPiLM in Warsaw, Poland. The device was equipped with a fast-acting gas valve placed inside the inner electrode and oriented along the z-axis. The valve could inject a small volume of a chosen gas in front of this electrode. The PF discharges were initiated at the initial deuterium pressure equal to 1.6 or 2 hPa, with or without the use of the gas-puffing. Such discharges emitted intense beams of accelerated primary ions and X-ray pulses as well as products of nuclear fusion reactions.The reported measurements of the fast ion beams were performed by means of a Thomson-type spectrometer located at a chosen distance at the z-axis and equipped with miniature scintillation detectors. These detectors were placed in different points upon the deuteron parabola which corresponded to determined energy values. The detectors configuration allowed us to determine instants of the ion emission (using a TOF technique) and to compare them with instants of the X-ray emission. The collected data provided important information about emission characteristics of the modified PF-1000U facility.

Summary form only given. The paper reports on experimental studies of deuteriumplasma streams during their free propagation in a vacuum chamber and their interaction with a silicon-carbide (SiC) target. The plasma streams were generated by the RPI-IBIS coaxial multi-rod accelerator, which (after the pulse injection of pure deuterium) was powered from a 60-μF condenser bank charged initially to 30 kV. In a so-called medium operational mode an average value of the deuteron energy was about 40 keV [1].The reported optical measurements were carried out trough a side-on optical window, using a quartz collimator and a quartz optical-cable, which was coupled with a Mechelle®900 spectrometer. It could be operated in a wavelength range from about 300 nm to 1100 nm, at different exposition times (from 100 ns to 50 ms) with a chosen delay time (ranging from 100 ns to 1 ms). The spectrometer was equipped with a PCO SensiCam camera and software needed for an analysis of recorded optical spectra. Particular attention was paid to detailed spectroscopic measurements of free-propagating plasma streams and plasma produced at the surface of a SiC target, which was placed at a distance of 20 cm from the electrode ends, and irradiated by powerful (1-5 MW/cm2) deuterium-plasma streams. The main aim was to record and identify spectral lines of carbon and silicon ions. On the basis of the spaceand time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of a DE line, it was estimated that the highest deuterium-plasma density was about 1017 cm-3, while the average value was 3 x 1016 cm-3. Surface changes of the irradiated SiC targets were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). It was shown that plasma-ion fluxes of energy density of about 2-7 J/cm2 are sufficient for material studies. The advantages of the RPI-IBIS system are relatively high energies of the emitted deuterons (ranging up to several hundreds keV), and high power loads upon the target in ion micro-beams spots. The presented results are of importance for basic plasma physics and for fusion-oriented material studies.

The paper concerns fast protons and neutrons from D-D fusion reactions in a Plasma-Focus-1000U facility. Measurements were performed with nuclear-track detectors arranged in "sandwiches" of an Al-foil and two PM-355 detectors separated by a polyethylene-plate. The Al-foil eliminated all primary deuterons, but was penetrable for fast fusion protons. The foil and first PM-355 detector were penetrable for fast neutrons, which were converted into recoil-protons in the polyethylene and recorded in the second PM-355 detector. The "sandwiches" were irradiated by discharges of comparable neutron-yields. Analyses of etched tracks and computer simulations of the fusion-products behavior in the detectors were performed.

The paper presents results of experimental research on emission of the visible radiation (VR) from intense deuterium plasma streams propagating freely within a vacuum chamber or interacting with silicon-carbide (SiC) targets. The investigated pulsed plasma streams were generated by high-current discharges realized within two facilities of the Plasma-Focus (PF) type, i.e. within the PF-1000U facility operated at the IFPiLM and the PF-360U device operated at the NCBJ. Detailed measurements have been carried out using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) technique. Parameters of plasma were estimated from the D line only. Structural changes of the irradiated SiC targets were analyzed by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). PACS: 52.59.Hq, 52.70.Kz, 52.30.-q, 52.40.Hf

The paper describes progress in studies of ion beams generated and accelerated within RPI (Rod Plasma Injector) and PF (Plasma-Focus) devices. To perform mass- and energy-analysis of such ion beams the use was made of different mass-spectrometers of the Thomson type. Ion measurements in RPI-IBIS facility were first performed with a big Thomson analyzer placed outside the vacuum chamber. To perform ion measurements near the electrodes two other Thomson analyzers were constructed at IPJ (now NCBJ). A smaller analyzer was applied in a large PF-1000 facility at IFPiLM, and time-integrated ion parabolas were recorded on nuclear track detectors. That analyzer was also adopted for time-resolved measurements by means of miniature scintillation detectors located along the deuteron parabola and it was used in the RPI-IBIS facility. Recently the analyzer construction was modernized to ensure differential pumping of the inlet system, and it was used for measurements within PF-360 and RPI-IBIS facilities.

This invited lecture presents results of research on charged particles emitted from high-temperature plasmas, which was performed by means of corpuscular-diagnostic techniques at NCBJ (former IPJ) during recent years. The studies were performed by joint teams at different facilities, e. g. RPI-IBIS and PF-360 machines at NCBJ, and PF-1000 facility at IFPiLM. To study spatial and energetic structure of fast ion streams emitted from RPI- and PF-type discharges the use was made of nuclear track detectors (NTDs), ion pinhole cameras and Thomson-type analyzers. The appearance of many ion micro-beams was confirmed and detailed mass-and energy-analysis of them was carried out. For time-resolved ion measurements the use was made of miniature scintillation detectors coupled with fast photomultipliers. Fast electrons from RPI- and PF-facilities were investigated with a magnetic analyzer, and energy spectra of them were determined. Time-resolved measurements of fast electrons were also performed in some tokamaks by means of Cherenkov-type detectors. Recently, new probes have been designed for ion studies in MCF experiments, e. g. COMPASS-U tokamak in Prague. Some research on passive corpuscular diagnostics of plasma was realized in a frame of the Polish-Ukrainian scientific collaboration.

The paper describes spectroscopic measurements of the optical emission from dense plasma streams during their free propagation and interactions with carbon-fiber-composite (CFC) targets within the PF-360 and RPI-IBIS facilities operated at NCBJ in Swierk, Poland. A dependence of the emission of the main CFC-components (i.e., carbon ions) on the crystallographic orientation of carbon filaments in the target was investigated. An influence of plasma parameters on the emission of carbon ions was also analyzed.

The paper reports on recent studies of carbon-fiber-composite (CFC) targets exposed to intense plasma streams generated by the PF-360 facility. The main aim was to observe interaction of pure deuterium plasma with surfaces of the investigated material and to estimate parameters of plasma in a near-surface layer. Optical spectroscopy was used to measure the emission spectra in the visible range. Distinct deuterium Balmer-lines were recorded and it was estimated that in a freepropagating plasma stream the maximum electron density was about 2 x 10 cm. In experiments with CFC targets it was about one order higher. A dependence of carbon spectral-lines and erossion effects on the crystallographic orientation of the target was observed.

This work was realized in a frame of the Agreement about Scientific Collaboration between Poland and Ukraine. It was supported by a grant (No. 584/N-Ukraina/2009/0) from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland.

The paper presents the recent measurements of ion beams emitted from an RPI-IBIS plasma injector and some preliminary results of the theoretical modeling. The RPI-IBIS facility was equipped with coaxial electrodes made of thin molybdenum rods and a fast acting electromagnetic valve for the injection of a working gas. Plasma discharges were initiated with a variable time delay (tau) after the gas injection and they were powered from a condenser bank charged to 30 kV, 30 kJ. The first part describes measurements of spatial distributions and energies of intense ion beams, which were performed by means of ion-pinhole cameras equipped with nuclear track detectors. Detailed analysis of ion mass-and energy-spectra was performed by means of a Thomson analyzer. The second part presents numerical simulations of ion motions in the RPI-IBIS facility, which were performed on the basis of a single-particle model.

The paper describes diagnostics of fast ion beams emitted from a large PF-1000 facility operated at 21 ... 27 kV, 290 ... 480 kJ. Those beams were measured with pinhole cameras and PM-355 nuclear track detectors, placed at different angles to the discharge axis. The measurements showed a complex spatial structure of the fast ion beams. Measurements behind an axial channel in the inner electrode have shown that some ion beams are emitted also in the upstream direction. The ion energy spectra were measured with a miniature Thomson-type spectrometer. Time-resolved measurements of ions were performed with miniature scintillation detectors placed behind a pinhole.

This study reports the results of a pilot experiment concerning observations of extreme ultraviolet emission from plasma produced by the capillary discharges. A few kA current was applied across the gas-filled alumina capillary (1 mm diameter and 8 mm long) to generate radiation in the EUV region (12–63 nm). Spectroscopic studies were carried out by means of a XEUV spectrometer which was upgraded for special lithography purposes. The results obtained from the EUV spectroscopic measurements provided information about the radiation processes from xenon and argon plasma and testifies that given capillary is an effective source of EUV emission. Additionally we showed a simulation which describes plasma dynamics parameters and dynamics of various ionization stages in capillary discharge. Our computer simulation confirmed the presence of ions, which spectra was registered in the experiment.

This paper reports on studies of fast ions (mostly deuterons) emitted from an RPI (Rod-Plasma-Injector) plasma accelerator. The first aim was the verification of applicability of PM-355 track detectors for dosimetry of lower-energy (<200KeV) deuterons. The second aim was information about energy spectra of deuterons from RPI-IBIS device in different operational modes. Mass- and energy spectra of ions were investigated with a Thomson-analyzer and PM-355 detectors. On the recorded deuteron-parabolas we chose points, and from numbers of tracks we determined the deuteron energy distribution. In the slow-mode the energy distribution peak was observed at about 40keV, while the maximum energy amounted to about 150keV. Those measurements confirmed an influence of the initial gas-conditions on energy distributions of the deuteron streams. The results are of importance for plasma-physics and applications. Another result was the confirmation that PM-355 detectors might be used for accurate measurements of low-energy (<200keV) deuterons.

The paper presents an improved version of a miniature mass-spectrometer of the Thomson-type, which has been adopted for ion analysis near the dense plasma region inside a vacuum chamber. Problems connected with the separation of ions from plasma streams are considered. Input diaphragms and pumping systems, needed to ensure good vacuum inside the analyzing region, are described. The application of the miniature Thomson-type analyzer is illustrated by ion parabolas recorded in plasma-focus facility and rod plasma injector experiment. A quantitative analysis of the recorded ion parabolas is presented. Factors influencing accuracy of the ion analysis are discussed and methods of the spectrometer calibration are described.

The paper describes the use of PM-355 track detectors for studies of spatial structures and energies of pulsed plasma–proton streams generated by an RPI–IBIS accelerator, powered from a 30-kJ condenser bank. Measurements were performed for different operational modes depending on a delay between the gas injection and discharge initiation. To study a spatial structure of the plasma–proton streams we used an ion pinhole camera with PM-355 detectors, placed at the symmetry axis of the experimental chamber, at a distance of 22cm from electrode ends. To record low-energy (not below 30keV) protons we did not apply any filter. To select protons of higher energies we used additional absorption filters made of Al-foils of 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0μm in thickness, which eliminated protons of energies below 125, 210 and 345keV, respectively. The spatial structure of the proton beams was analyzed and their dependence on the initial gas conditions was investigated.

The paper describes important improvements in the construction and operation of a miniature mass- and energy-analyzer of the Thomson type, which was developed especially for measurements of ions inside vacuum experimental chambers. The described analyzer constitutes a modified and improved version of the prototype miniature mass-spectrometer, which was designed several years ago. The paper describes experimental tests of the modified analyzer, which were carried out in the RPI-IBIS facility equipped with a multi-rod plasma injector. Results of the detailed measurements of energy distributions of protons and deuterons (from deuterium discharges) within the energy range from about 20 keV to about 300 keV are also presented.

A dependence of track diameters on deuteron energy was investigated for PM-355 nuclear track detectors. Deuteron streams were obtained from RPI-IBIS facility at the pulsed injection of deuterium. Mass and energy analysis was performed with a Thomson-type spectrometer and PM-355 samples. An etched deuteron parabola extended from about 20keV to about 500keV. The energy resolution of measurements on the parabola at 20keV was ±0.2keV, and at 500keV amounted to ±50keV. Accuracy of the determination of deuteron energies decreased for higher energy values. Results are presented in diagrams showing the track diameters as a function of deuteron energy for chosen etching times (1–8h).

The paper presents results of experimental research on the interaction of a pulsed plasma-ion stream with a tungsten (W) target. The pulsed deuterium plasma was produced within the RPI-IBIS (Multi-Rod Plasma Injector) facility at IPJ in Swierk. Measurements were carried out by means of optical spectroscopy and corpuscular diagnostic techniques. Structural changes in the irradiated targets were investigated with a SEM. Before experiments with the W-target there were determined operational conditions, when clean deuterium plasma streams can be generated. For that purpose a so-called "slow or PID (Plasma Ion Deposition) mode" of the RPI-IBIS operation was chosen. Particular attention was paid to the identification of spectral lines from WI and WII species. The obtained results, i.e. optical spectra and other characteristics have demonstrated applicability of the RPI-IBIS facility for research on the interaction of plasma streams with W-targets, e. g. those constituting some internal parts of fusion facilities.

This work presents preliminary results of an extreme ultraviolet emission obserwations of a capillary discharge plasma. The main purpose of measurements was to demonstrate the spectral range covered by the system working parameters. The spectroscopic studies were carried out by means of an XEUV spectrometer in the Johann geometry. The results provide general information about the radiation processes from the xenon, argon and tin plasma in the range from 12 to 63 nm.