Research activities of the plasma physics group at the Czech Technical University in PragueONLINE ONLY

The main aim of this presentation is to introduce the research activities of the plasma physics experimental group of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague (FEE CTU). In the field of high energy density research with pulsed power generators and lasers, the group cooperates with the Institute of High Current Electronics (IHCE) in Tomsk, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C., Institute of Plasma Physics (IPPLM) in Warsaw, PALS laser system in Prague. In 2014, the group participated in experiments on heavy ion stopping in plasma at GSI.

In the frame of the joint experiments with IHCE, unprecedented results were obtained using a novel hybrid Z-pinch configuration. Using such load in the 3-MA Z-pinch experiments, a DD neutron yield reached up to 3×1012 per single shot and protons and deuterons were accelerated up to at least 50 MeV. The ion acceleration and neutron production according to this principle have been reproduced on the 0.7-MA generator in collaboration with NRL. Numerous diagnostic techniques such as neutron time-of-flight detectors, nuclear activation methods, SXR detectors, and many others as well as experience on the EMP protection gained in these experiments are currently established on the PALS laser system in Prague and could be utilized in HED- experiments on the PHELIX laser system at GSI.