Publications

Wire-array Z-pinch length variations for K-Shell X-ray generation on Z

Jones, Brent M.; Ampleford, David A.; Jennings, Christopher A.; Waisman, Eduardo M.; Hansen, Stephanie B.; Coverdale, Christine A.; Cuneo, M.E.; Apruzese, John P.; Thornhill, J.W.; Giuliani, John L.; Dasgupta, Arati; Clark, Robert W.; Davis, Jack

In developing stainless-steel (SS) and copper wire-array X-ray sources on the Z machine, we consider the optimization of K-shell yield as a function of load height. Theory, numerical modeling, and experimental data suggest that an optimum exists corresponding to a tradeoff between the increase in radiating mass and the decrease in coupled current with increasing pinch height. A typical load height of 20 mm used on many previous Z wire-array X-ray sources is found to be near optimal for K-shell yield production in SS and copper implosions. Electrical data, pinhole imaging, and spectroscopy are used to study plasma conditions in wire-array z pinches corresponding to the variation in K-shell power and yield per unit length as the pinch height is changed from 12 to 24 mm.