X-ray spectra from a gas-puff z-pinch device

Abstract

X‐ray emission was used to diagnose the plasma formation in a gas‐puff pulsed‐discharge device. X‐ray pinhole images were collected simultaneously with x‐ray spectra from Ar and Kr gases. X rays were emitted from z‐pinched regions (50–100 μm in diameter) along a collinear track formed by the plasma implosion of a hollow gas jet. Spectral analysis indicated Ar plasma formation with electron densities of ∼2×10²¹ cm⁻³. The Ar plasma temperature was ∼1 keV, based on a collisional‐radiative transport model. Li‐like satellite lines were classified in Ar XVI with atomic structure calculations. The Kr x‐ray spectrum (6–8‐Å region) was dominated by Ne‐like Kr XXVII lines. New spectral transitions were classified in Na‐like Kr XXVI and F‐like Kr XXVIII. The wavelength calibrations in the Kr spectrum were obtained from exploded‐Al‐wire plasma generated in coincidence with the plasma implosion formed in the puff gas.