Characteristics of a molybdenum X-pinch X-ray source as a probe source for X-ray diffraction studies

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Materials Science
• X-ray Science

Background:

• Dynamic compression experiments create high-pressure states requiring advanced diagnostic tools.
• X-ray sources are crucial for probing these transient, high-pressure conditions.
• X-pinches offer a compact, intense source of X-rays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate X-ray emission from a molybdenum X-pinch as a probe for dynamic compression experiments.
• To characterize the properties of X-rays generated by a novel pulsed power generator.
• To assess the feasibility of using this X-ray source for Laue diffraction studies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 300 kA, 400 ns pulsed power generator with direct load coupling.
• Employed a 4-wire molybdenum X-pinch load (13 μm diameter wires, 62° crossing angle, 10 mm height).
• Performed time-integrated spectral measurements of the X-ray emission.

Main Results:

• Observed an initial soft X-ray burst followed by harder X-ray bursts (hυ > 10 keV) within 2-5 ns.
• Harder bursts exhibited power ranging from 1 to 7 MW.
• Spectral analysis revealed K-alpha emission as dominant in harder bursts, with a continuum up to at least 30 keV.

Conclusions:

• The molybdenum X-pinch source produces intense, hard X-ray pulses suitable for probing high-pressure states.
• The source demonstrated capability in driving Laue diffraction experiments on uncompressed LiF and aluminum samples.
• This X-ray emission configuration shows promise as a diagnostic tool for dynamic compression research.