In Russia, studied the characteristics of the radiation of "runaway" electrons

In order to study thermonuclear energy sources, a special reactor is needed to fuse isotope nuclei

hydrogen (tokamak).This is a large chamber where the plasma is heated by a circulating current to temperatures of hundreds of millions of degrees. A fusion reaction occurs, its products carry away energy, which is then converted into electricity.

Another approach is laser technology, whichallows to obtain a thermonuclear reaction by synchronizing beams of several dozen lasers at one point, where a capsule containing thermonuclear "fuel" is placed.

All these approaches were based on previous worktheoretical conclusion: the products of a thermonuclear reaction are usually neutrons and alpha particles that interact with the front wall of the reactor. But it turned out that there were also electrons with very high energy. They can carry an additional radiation load on the wall, which will lead to its premature destruction. Such electrons, called “runaway” electrons, are now being intensively studied. 

Alexander Potylitsyn, Professor, Research School of Physics of High-Energy Processes TPU

Researchers are currently studyingcharacteristics of optical radiation of electrons at the TPU microtron, in which electrons are accelerated to an energy of 3-6 MeV. This is precisely the energy range that interests us, which our colleagues from other centers, for example, in Italy or China, cannot obtain, notes Potilitsyn .

During the work, it turned out to be effective for the first timeisolate Cherenkov radiation of electrons from isotropic background radiation. In the experiment, the geometry for detecting optical radiation from a quartz radiator was selected by changing the angle of rotation of the radiator relative to the electron beam for different observation angles.

Scientists plan to continue experiments forobtaining information on the optimal characteristics of the radiator for recording Cherenkov radiation of runaway electrons for various energy ranges up to 6 MeV. It is also planned to determine the commercially available radiator material, its radiation resistance, optical characteristics, manufacturability, and much more.

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