Neutron Production by Reversed Field Pinches

The DT fusion neutron yield is calculated as a function of plasma current I for a variety of cases, assuming that the plasma temperature scales as T_o = T_r(I/I_r)^y(a_r/a)^x where subscripts r denote reference values, and x and y are scaling parameters. The first-wall minor radius a is limited by the tolerable heat flux q. If β = 15 %, R = 4 m, I = 10 MA, and q = 3 MW/m², then a = 0.43 m, and the 14 MeV neutron current at the first wall is about 10¹⁸ neutrons/m²s. ^a Work begun at Phillips Research Center. On leave from the University of Missouri-Rolla.