Correlation between the neutron yield from a plasma focus device and the jump in the discharge current

The correlation between the neutron yield Y from a plasma focus device and the jump in the discharge current ??I has been studied experimentally. The total yield of the DD neutron source was measured by the method of activation of silver isotopes. The time dependences of the neutron and ??-radiation yields were recorded using scintillation detectors. It is found that, for the given experimental device, the neutron yield depends linearly on the jump in the discharge current ??I at the instant of neutron generation. The influence of the initial deuterium pressure in the discharge chamber on this dependence is examined.