High energy photon radiation from a Z-pinch plasma

A new approach to the generation of kilovolt x ray radiation in Z-pinch pla sma radiation sources is proposed. In cases where the pulse power machine h as insufficient energy to efficiently produce K-shell emission from the ato mic number element that emits in the required kilovolt energy range, it may be advantageous to produce x rays by recombination radiation emitted from a lower atomic number plasma. The optimal load conditions for maximizing th e high energy free-bound continuum radiation that can be produced in a give n spectral range are analyzed. The largest yield is expected from a highest -atomic-number element that could efficiently produce K-shell yield on a gi ven pulse power machine. Two options available for the choice of a wire arr ay material to generate x rays with photon energies above 7-8 keV are ident ified and discussed, aluminum and titanium. The analytical estimates and si mulation results for "Z" machine implosions show that continuum radiation f rom an aluminum plasma in this spectral range could exceed the K-shell outp ut from nickel. If a titanium plasma could be ionized to a H-like state on "Z," then its yield above 7 keV should be higher compared to that of alumin um by a factor of 3 to 4. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.