K-shell and extreme ultraviolet spectroscopic signatures of structured Ar puff Z-pinch loads with high K-shell x-ray yield

Journal Article · Thu Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2426919· OSTI ID:20976596

Failor, B H; Sze, H M; Banister, J W; Levine, J S; Qi, N; Apruzese, J P; Lojewski, D Y ^[1]

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1. L-3 Communications/Pulse Sciences, San Leandro, California 94577 (United States)

Structured 12-cm-diam Ar gas-puff loads have recently produced Z-pinch implosions with reduced Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth and increased K-shell x-ray yield [H. Sze, J. Banister, B. H. Failor, J. S. Levine, N. Qi, A. L. Velikovich, J. Davis, D. Lojewski, and P. Sincerny, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 105001 (2005)]. To better understand the dynamics of these loads, we have measured the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) emission resolved radially, spectrally, and axially. Radial measurements indicated a compressed diameter of {approx_equal}3 mm, consistent with the observed load inductance change and an imploded-mass consisting of a {approx_equal}1.5-mm-diam, hot, K-shell-emitting core and a cooler surrounding blanket. Spectral measurements indicate that, if the load is insufficiently heated, then radiation from the core will rapidly photoheat the outer blanket, producing a strong increase in XUV emission. Also, adding a massive center jet ({>=}20% of load mass) increases the rise and fall times of the XUV emission to {>=}40 ns, consistent with a more adiabatic compression and heating of the load. Axial measurements show that, despite differences in the XUV and K-shell emission time histories, the K-shell x-ray yield is insensitive to axial variations in load mass.

• OSTI ID: 20976596
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 14; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
EMISSION
EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
INDUCTANCE
K SHELL
MASS
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION
YIELDS