X-RAY GENERATION IN LOW-VOLTAGE VACUUM DISCHARGES

The dynamics of x-ray emission from a low-voltage laser-induced discha rge was studied with the aid of a picosecond x-ray streak camera. Dire cted x-ray emission in the spectral range from 100 eV to 10 keV in the form of point sources and thin layers with lifetimes ranging from 30 ps to 1 ns was observed in a low-voltage vacuum discharge (U=150 V) in itiated by a picosecond laser beam. X-ray emission from a discharge wa s detected with a time delay (1-20 ns) relative to ignition by the las er beam in order to prevent the radiation of the laser plasma from ent ering the detector. Detection of directed x-ray emission in a low-volt age vacuum discharge is demonstrated. (C) 1998 American Institute of P hysics. [S0021-3640(98)00309-0].