IMPROVED SYMMETRY GREATLY INCREASES X-RAY POWER FROM WIRE-ARRAY Z-PINCHES

A systematic experimental study of annular aluminum-wire Z-pinches on a 20-TW electrical generator shows that the measured spatial character istics and emitted x-ray power agree more closely with rad-hydro simul ations when large numbers of wires are used. The measured x-ray power increases first slowly and then rapidly with decreasing interwire gap spacing. Simulations suggested that this increase reflects the transit ion from implosion of individual wire plasmas to one of an azimuthally symmetric plasma shell. In the plasma-shell regime, x-ray powers of 4 0 TW are achieved.