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The Ratio of D-T to D-D Reactions as a Measure of the Fuel Density-Radius Product in Initially Tritium-Free Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets

T. E. Blue, D. B. Harris

Nuclear Science and Engineering / Volume 77 / Number 4 / April 1981 / Pages 463-469

Technical Paper / dx.doi.org/10.13182/NSE81-A18959

It is proposed that the ratio of deuterium-tritium (D-T) to neutron producing deuterium-deuterium (D-D) reactions (RDT/RDD) be used as a diagnostic of the fuel density-radius product (⟨ρR⟩) for initially tritium-free advanced fuel inertial confinement fusion targets, For deuterium targets, RDT/RDD ≈ 0,08 ⟨ρR⟩ for fuel ⟨ρR⟩ 0.1 g/cm2. For fuel of larger values of ⟨ρR⟩, thermalization of fusion product tritons in the fuel greatly alters the dependence of RDT/RDD on target characteristics.