Studies of Hotspot Characteristics in Hybrid X-Pinches with Different Inter-Electrode Gaps

Musk, Jeffrey

Studies of Hotspot Characteristics in Hybrid X-Pinches with Different Inter-Electrode Gaps

Abstract

ABSTRACT The hybrid X-pinch configuration for pulsed power experiments consists of a fine wire strung between two solid electrodes, the x-ray burst from which is characterized by a single bright hotspot of soft X-rays under ideal circumstances. These ideal circumstances depend on a number of variables including the size of the gap between the electrodes and the material of the wire used in the test. Testing four different materials (Al, Ti, Mo, Ag) at gap distances ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mm enabled some insight into the parameters needed to consistently produce a single hotspot. Shots at higher gap distances (≥ 2.0 mm) using the higher-Z materials (Mo, Ag) would produce more hotspots than shots at smaller gap distances (≤ 1.5 mm) with lower-Z materials (Al, Ti). There also appears to be a weak correlation between higher-Z materials and higher energy hotspots, though no such correlation appears for hotspot source size. Understanding the effects of gap distance and wire material on hotspot and X-ray production enables more precise use of the hybrid X-pinch as an X-ray source for spectroscopic studies or backlight imaging.

Date Issued

2019-05-30

Keywords

X-Pinch; Plasma physics; Hybrid X-Pinch

Committee Chair

Hammer, David A.

Committee Member

Kusse, Bruce Raymond

Degree Discipline

Applied Physics

Degree Name

M.S., Applied Physics

Degree Level

Master of Science

Types

dissertation or thesis