X-ray backlighting of wire array Z-pinch implosions using X pinch

The dynamics of wire arrays have been studied using a point-projection X-pi nch x-ray backlighter installed in one of the return posts of the MAGPIE ge nerator. Variations of diameter (15-50 mum aluminum) and number of wires (t wo or four) in the X-pinch enabled backlit images in the range of 140-200 n s after the current start. A temporal and spatial resolution of <1 ns and 5 mum is achieved. The radiographic images of aluminum wire array show that the wire cores are present at the original position until 80% of the implos ion time and the size of the wire cores is 0.25 mm for aluminum and 0.1 mm for tungsten. A very fine structure of the order of 10 mum has been observe d in titanium wire arrays. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.