Prompt and delayed parasitic currents induced in typical insulators of coaxial cables by large 14 MeV sub-nanosecond neutrons flux.

Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments performed on high-power laser facilities produce a high intensity short pulse of 14 MeV neutrons. The interaction of such an environment with coaxial cables widely used for signals transmission of diagnostic equipments induces parasitic transient currents. Depending on the magnitude and shape of those currents, measurement signals are likely to be altered and electric devices might be damaged. This paper reviews our knowledge about the generation of parasitic current in polyethylene (PE), PolyTetraFluorEthylene (PTFE) and PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK) insulators subjected to an ICF neutron pulse. It provides a clear evidence of the existence of a prompt neutron component and a very fast, nanosecond delayed radiation induced electromotive force (RIEMF) in insulator response to very short neutron pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]