Thin High Z Converter Foils

Present reflex triode design is limited by the dynamic response of the debris shield. Debris shield deformation defines the closest permissible location of the test object and therefore determines the maximum achievable dose. The deformation of the debrisshield can be reduced without sacrificing transmitted fluence by minimizing the stimulus that drives the debris shield. Ktech proposes to reduce the impulse generated by the explosive vaporization of the converter and cathode foils by optimizing thematerial selection, configuration and thickness of each of these foils. Ktech has pioneered the development of thin, large area, high Z foils so that consideration of very thin converter foils in the optimization process as a practical alternative. Thisprogram will develop silicon wafer substrate deposition processes specifically for the production of thin, large diameter converter foils. PUFF-TFT hydrocode analyses will be used to model converter and cathode coil blow off and define the dynamic loads onthe debris shields. The ITS Monte Carlo radiation transport code will be used to model Bremsstrahlung production and debris shield transmission. Hardware will be designed to allow the thin converter foils to be mounted in the DECADE reflex triode.Prototype thin high Z converter foils will be manufactured and tested on DECADE QUAD.