Time-resolved Spectroscopy of X-pinch Bright Spots

D.B. Sinars*, S.A. Pikuz**, T.A. Shelkovenko**, K.M. Chandler, and D.A. Hammer Laboratory of Plasma Studies Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

*Present Address: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185 **Permanent Address: P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia

Abstract
The soft x-ray radiation (1-10 keV) from X pinches is emitted from small, brightly emitting spots located within narrow necks that form in the cross-point region. X-pinch bright spots are ~1 m in diameter, exist for <1 ns, and emit 100-300 mJ of >1 keV x rays. In the past, spectroscopic investigations of the x rays from bright spots have been limited to time-integrated measurements. Combining an x-ray streak camera with a focusing spectrograph configuration, we have obtained timeresolved Al, Ti, and Mo spectra with <10 ps time resolution. These spectra indicate extreme plasma conditions. For example, a 90 ps lifetime, 1.5-1.8 keV electron temperature, near solid-state ion density plasma was observed.

Historical Background
Single exploding wires have long been known to produce bright spots if a large current is passed through the wire plasma (roughly >100 kA). These spots form at random locations and times along the entire wire length. [See, for example, Mosher et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 23, 429 (1973).] Similar bright spots have long been observed in plasma focus devices and in vacuum spark devices. [See, for example, Koshelev & Pereira, J. Appl. Phys. 69, R21 (1991).]

Bright Spot Parameters have been difficult to observe

Small (<10 m) Short-lived (<1 ns) Non-reproducible spatial location Non-reproducible temporal location As a result, the plasma parameters of bright spots have historically been inferred from time-integrated x-ray spectroscopy

The X pinch is ideal for bright spot measurements

Bright spots reliably produced in a predictable location (within 150 m). Bright spot timing is reproducible to within 2 ns (in some cases to within 1 ns.) Individual bright spots are very intense (emit >100 mJ of >1 keV x-rays), making them easier to diagnose. X pinches can be composed of almost any conducting metal or fiber.

Concept of the X pinch

An X pinch is composed of two or more 5-50 m wires that cross and touch at only a single point. A current pulse from a pulsed power generator (200-450 kA in ~100 ns) is passed through the wires, causing them to explode and form plasma. The threshold to form bright spots is only exceeded in the cross-point region, where the currents in each wire add.

Bright spots form during a magnetic implosion in the cross-point region

Bright spots originate from within the narrowest necks observed in radiographic images Shortly after the bright spot occurs, a rapidly expanding gap opens up at that point. Shelkovenko et al., Phys. Plasmas 8, 1305 (2001).

The small size of these bright spots is useful for imaging

Point-projection radiographs using X pinches have m-scale resolution, implying source sizes of 1 m or less. Applications include phase-contrast imaging of biological objects (see Pikuz et al., RP1.101) and dense plasma radiography [D.B. Sinars et al., Phys. Plasmas 8, 216 (2001).]

Measuring Bright Spot Parameters Using Time-resolved Spectroscopy

We used a focusing spectrograph with onedimension of spatial resolution (FSSR-1D). This configuration is based on spherically bent mica crystals (100-186 mm bending radii). To obtain time resolution, a fast Kentech x-ray streak camera* capable of <10 ps time resolution was used to record the spectra. The photocathode of the streak camera was placed at the focal point of the spectrograph.
*We are grateful to D.H. Kalantar from LLNL for the use of the streak camera.

FSSR-1D Concept

Physical Layout of Diagnostics

Curvature Distortions introduced by the x-ray streak camera

At the fastest speeds, the images of the photocathode were distorted by the electron optics in the x-ray streak camera. This curvature was measured during several tests, and was used to help calibrate the sweep rates of the x-ray streak camera.

Quadratic fit to the X-ray streak camera curvature

Speed 2 Speed 3 Speed 4 Speed 4 Speed 5

Static Speed 2 Speed 3

Speed 4 Speed 4 Speed 5

The x-ray streak camera had nonuniform magnification

A series of tests to characterize the magnification were conducted using a vertical array of horizontal slits.

Film scans were post-processed to provide accurate spectra

Measurements characterized the curvature and nonlinear magnification of the x-ray streak camera. The curvature, along with other direct measurements, was used to calibrate the sweep rates of the streak camera. The Kodak TMAX film used to capture the x-ray streak camera images was calibrated for exposure versus intensity for the development times used. The 1200 dpi Agfa scanner was also calibrated. These results were combined in a C++ code*. The code was used to process the film scans to obtain distortion-free, linearly scaled spectra. *Written by a Cornell Univ. undergraduate, Jeffrey Vaughan

Sample Post-processed Image

The right-hand image has been post-processed to correct for the curvature distortion, nonlinear magnification, and film/scanner Calibration. The post-processed images are on a linear intensity scale, however, which makes them difficult to see.

Initial Experimental Results

Time-resolved Al, Ti, and Mo spectra were obtained during our initial tests. Some spectra had time resolutions < 10 ps. Al and Ti spectra contain H- and He-like ion lines, and were analyzed using non-LTE, collisionalradiative equilibrium line ratio calculations. Mo spectra contain Ne-like ion lines and relatively intense continuum radiation. These spectra have not yet been fully analyzed.

Sample Ti X-pinch Spectra A time-integrated Ti spectrum from the same test is shown for comparison with a time-resolved spectrum obtained using the slowest xray streak camera speed. It is clear from this image that the interpretation of timeintegrated Ti spectra can produce misleading results, and at best yields time-averaged values

Sample Time-resolved Ti Spectra

Ti X pinches produce intense He-like and H-like spectra, as seen in the streak film scans to the right. The intensity of the H-like radiation in test Pulse 2483 is very high relative to the He-like radiation, implying a minimum temperature of 1300-1350 eV according to Aprusezes line ratio contour plots (shown in a later slide).

Ti X-pinch tests used a single X pinch as the load of the pulser.

Time-resolved Ti Line Ratios

The time-resolved behavior of the He- and H-like Ti ion lines is shown to the right. Computational fits to the line profiles in Pulse 2483 inferred electron temperatures of 1500-1800 eV. These temperatures and the 0.27 peak line ratio imply an ion density of (0.7-2)x1023 cm-3 for a 2 m diameter plasma (0.1-0.3 of solid density), or (1-3)x1023 cm-3 for a 0.5 m diameter plasma. Alternatively, if the delay time between the start of the H-like lines after the He-like lines is due to the time required for collisional ionization of H-like ions from He-like ions, a density estimate can be made using the electron temperature. The estimate for the electron density is (0.5-1.5)x1023 cm-3, which is within a factor of two of 20 times the Ti ion density inferred from Aprusezes calculations.

Computational Fits to Ti Spectra from test Pulse 2483*

*Fits were done by I.Yu. Skobelev using a simple CRE model.

Ti Line Contour Plots Calculated by J.P. Apruzese*

*Calculations based on Apruzese et al., J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 57, 41 (1997) using X-pinch relevant parameters.

Sample Time-resolved Al Spectra In the spectra to the right, timeresolved Doppler shifts and opacity effects are visible. The shifts (~0.004 peak) correspond to a velocity of 2x107 cm/s, which is consistent with implosion velocities inferred previously. The opacity effects disappear at or shortly after the first peak in the continuum emission. This behavior can be explained by cold, optically dense mass imploding onto warm, radiating mass. At the time of peak density (I.e., peak continuum emission), all of the imploding mass has reached the axis and the opacity effects disappear.

Sample Time-resolved Mo Spectra

Numerous bursts of x-rays are produced by each X pinch, as seen the spectra. The first spectra are dominated by continuum radiation, while subsequent bursts are dominated by line radiation. The characteristics of the spectra from different x-ray bursts can vary widely. In Mo tests, two Mo X pinches were used as parallel loads across the diode. In this case, the spectral dispersion for each of the two X pinches is slightly different, allowing us to determine which X-pinch an x-ray burst came from. In (b), for example, bursts 13 were from one X pinch and 4-5 were from the other.

Post-processed Mo Spectra

Summary
Time-resolved spectra from Al, Ti, and Mo X pinches have determined that extreme plasma conditions exist in X-pinch bright spots. X pinches can emit several bursts, each with very different spectra, indicating that time-integrated spectra are of limited usefulness. The first x-ray bursts from X pinches are often dominated by continuum radiation, while subsequent x-ray bursts are predominantly line radiation. In combination with other measurements, these timeresolved measurements may soon allow us to determine the physical process responsible for producing bright spots.