Influence of L-shell dynamics on K-shell yields for imploding krypton Z-pinch plasmas

Abstract

The radiative performance of a Z‐pinch krypton puff gas heated by a proposed multiterawatt generator is investigated with the aid of a one‐dimensional (1‐D) non‐Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) radiation hydrodynamic model self‐consistently coupled to a circuit model. For stable loads configured either as cylindrical annular shells or uniform fills, predictions are made for the K‐ and L‐shell soft x‐ray emission as a function of the L‐shell level structure. The results of numerical simulations show that both the thin annular shell and uniform fill are prolific K‐ and L‐shell radiators. It is also predicted that the L‐shell level structure profoundly affects the optimum K‐shell soft x‐ray yield, as well as the choices for load mass corresponding to optimum emission.