COBRA-STAR, a five frame point-projection x-ray imaging system for 1 MA scale wire-array Z pinches.

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• High-Energy-Density Physics
• X-ray Imaging

Background:

• Wire-array Z-pinch experiments are crucial for studying high-energy-density plasmas.
• Accurate diagnostic tools are needed to measure plasma properties like areal density.
• Existing imaging systems may lack the required resolution or diagnostic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a new X-ray imaging system for wire-array Z-pinch experiments.
• To enable calibrated areal density measurements of Z-pinch plasmas.
• To achieve high spatial and temporal resolution in X-ray imaging.

Main Methods:

• Developed a system using five molybdenum (Mo) X pinches as point sources for radiography.
• Controlled X-ray burst timing by varying Mo wire diameter (mass).
• Utilized Titanium (Ti) filters and tungsten (W) step wedges for calibrated areal density measurements.

Main Results:

• The system produces up to five high-resolution X-ray images per pulse.
• Achieved sub-nanosecond temporal resolution and approximately 7 micrometer spatial resolution.
• Obtained accurate (+/-10%) areal density measurements of W plasmas.

Conclusions:

• The new imaging system provides a powerful tool for Z-pinch plasma research.
• Calibrated areal density measurements are now feasible with high precision.
• The system's high resolution and speed advance plasma diagnostic capabilities.