A 2-LEVEL MODEL FOR K-SHELL RADIATION SCALING OF THE IMPLODING Z-PINCH PLASMA RADIATION SOURCE

A simple, first-principle treatment is presented for estimating, withi n about a factor-of-two, how K-shell x-radiation from the plasma radia tion source scales with plasma, pulsed-power, and imploding-load param eters. The transparency of this two-level model clarifies the relation s between X-ray yield and underlying physical processes, provides simp le analytic expressions for optimal load parameters and associated yie lds, and establishes links between radiating-load performance and syst em constraints imposed by other processes. The two-level model provide s results similar to another one-zone model based on phenomenological extrapolations of selected one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic calc ulations. The model compares well with K-shell radiation results from Hawk neon gas puff and Saturn aluminum large-wire-number array experim ents, provided that assumed compression ratios are less than those inf erred from X-ray pinhole images. The reduced compression ratios requir ed by the model can be traced to its one-zone nature.