Axial Distribution of DD-Neutron Yield in GDT under Skew Injection of Deuterium Neutral Beams

Experiments with 3 MW deuterium injection have been carried out in the Gas Dynamic Trap (GDT) to simulate the axial profile of the fusion reaction intensity in the proposed neutron source based on the GDT. Quite narrow angular distribution function of the fast ions produced by an oblique neutral beam injection results in a peaked axial profile of the fusion yield. This strong peaking is essential to produce an intense neutron flux in the testing zones of the GDT-based neutron source.
The scintillation counters were installed in the central cell of the device to monitor the DD fusion reaction products: neutrons (2.45 MeV) and protons (3,02 MeV). They were closely located to the plasma column inside of the vacuum chamber in oreder to avoid contribution from the scattered neutrons and to improve the spatial resolution of the measurements. The axial profiles of the fusion neutrons and protons have been measured in the high-beta regime of the GDT operation.
In the paper the experimental data are compared with the results of numerical simulations. The conclusion may be drawn that the kinetics of the fast ion relaxation and scattering is determined by classical Coulomb collisions.