Fast resistive bolometry

Resistive bolometry is an accurate, robust, spectrally broadband technique for measuring absolute x-ray fluence and flux. Bolometry is an independent technique for x-ray measurements that is based on a different set of physic al properties than other diagnostics such as x-ray diodes, photoconducting detectors, and P-I-N diodes. Bolometers use the temperature-driven change i n element resistivity to determine the total deposited energy. The calibrat ion of such a device is based on fundamental material properties and its ph ysical dimensions. We describe the use of nickel and gold bolometers to mea sure x rays generated by high-power z pinches on Sandia's Saturn and Z acce lerators. The Sandia bolometer design described herein has a pulse response of similar to 1 ns. We describe in detail the fabrication, fielding, and d ata analysis issues leading to highly accurate x-ray measurements. The fund amental accuracy of resistive bolometry will be discussed. (C) 1999 America n Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(99)52701-9].