Initial results for an argon Z pinch using a double-shell gas puff

Recent observations are given for an argon double-shell gas puff imploded w ith up to 4 MA in 200 ns on the Double Eagle generator [G. B. Frazier , Dig est of Technical Papers, Fourth IEEE Pulsed Power Conference (IEEE, Piscata way, NJ, 1983), p. 583]. Good K-shell x-ray output with good pinch quality was observed. A novel experimental procedure was used to selectively seed t he inner or outer gas plenums with a chlorine tracer. The tracer data provi de the first direct experimental evidence that the mass initially closest t o the axis is the dominant contributor to the hot core of the radiating pin ch. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(00)00710-2].