X-ray structure of a pinched plasma in a vacuum spark

Abstract

The size and shape of an x-ray source formed by a plasma pinch have been determined using time-integrated pinhole photography. Pinhole diameters as small as 4 μ have been used to image a source whose length is usually about one order of magnitude larger than this pinhole diameter. Such measurements should refine the density determination of the source and are essential to specifying a charged-particle acceleration mechanism in the pinch region. The x-ray images, visible streak photographs, and x-ray-source lifetime measurements suggest that the x-ray source may, as a whole, be moving as it emits.

Plasma points and radiative collapse in vacuum sparks

“…There is no doubt that electron beams exist in lowinductance vacuum spark discharges (Welch 1974;Choi 1987). There is no doubt that electron beams exist in lowinductance vacuum spark discharges (Welch 1974;Choi 1987).…”

Single-shot analysis of micropinches in a vacuum spark discharge

“…A beryllium foil of 10,um thickness in front of the lead plate assured the observation of a pure x-ray image of the plasma. Conventional black and white films with a grain diameter of 1 pm were used to guarantee a good resolution; this was necessary for calculating the plasmapoint diameter from the half-shadow region of the image (Welch and Clothiaux 1974).…”

Micropinch in a high-current diode

“…Аналогичные структуры обнаруживаются в плазменном фокусе 40 > 54 . Источники более жестких квантов имеют меньшие размеры, они как бы погружены в область более мягкого рентгеновского излучения.…”