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Abstract: The studies emphasize investigation of plasma formation, implosion, and radiation features as a function of two load configurations: compact multi-planar and cylindrical wire arrays. Experiments with different Z-pinch loads were performed on 1.6MA, 100ns, Zebra generator at University of Nevada, Reno. The multi-planar wire arrays (PWAs) were studied in open and closed configurations with Al, Cu, brass, Mo and W wires. In the open magnetic configurations (single, double, triple PWAs) magnetic fields are present inside the arrays from the beginning of discharge, while in closed configurations (prism-like PWA) the global magnetic field is excluded inside before plasma flow occurs. The new prism-like PWA allows high flexibility in control of implosion dynamics and precursor formation. The spectral modeling, magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) and wire ablation dynamic model (WADM) codes were used to describe the plasma evolution and plasma parameters. Experimentally observed electron temperature and density in multiple bright spots reached 1.4keV and 5×1021 cm−3, respectively. Two types of bright spots were observed. With peak currents up to 1.3MA opacity effects became more pronounced and led to a limiting of the X-ray yields from compact cylindrical arrays. Despite different magnetic energy to plasma coupling mechanisms early in the implosion a comparison of compact double PWA and cylindrical WA results indicates that during the stagnation stage the same plasma heating mechanism may occur. The double PWA was found to be the best radiator tested at University scale 1MA generator. It is characterized by a combination of larger yield and power, mm-scale size, and provides the possibility of radiation pulse shaping. Further, the newer configuration, the double PWA with skewed wires, was tested and showed the possibility of a more effective X-ray generation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The spectroscopic features of implosions of Mo single- and double-planar wire arrays are studied. The experiments were performed on the 1MA Zebra generator at UNR. Implosions of Mo planar wire arrays radiate high peak powers and produce high-temperature L-shell plasmas. In particular, plasma electron temperature of single-planar wire arrays of Mo reached ∼1375eV. To estimate and analyze the evolution of plasma parameters in space and time, spatially resolved, time-integrated L-shell Mo X-ray spectra as well as time-gated and time-integrated pinhole images were collected and analyzed. A non-LTE kinetic model was applied to study the spatial structures, temperatures and densities of different wire loads of Mo planar wire arrays. Effects of non-Maxwellian hot electrons on L-shell radiation of Mo are discussed. Furthermore, Mo planar wire arrays generate bright spots or clusters of bright spots along the axial directions. Temperature and density gradients inside these bright spots or its clusters are also investigated. The results are compared with results of previous experiments with X-pinches on UNR Zebra and nested wire arrays at SNL-Z. Radiation magnetohydrodynamics modeling was performed to analyze the mechanisms of Z-pinch plasma heating in the presence of strong density gradients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: X-pinches are a source for studying radiative properties of plasmas of very small sizes, high densities and temperatures applicable to high-energy density plasmas such as dense Z-pinches. Recently, spatially resolved and spatially integrated X-ray spectral data have been accumulated during Mo and Cu X-pinch experiments on the Zebra generator. During these experiments configurations, other then the 2-wire X-pinches, such as 4-wire X-pinches and asymmetric X-pinches have been spectroscopically studied and computationally analyzed. We present here modeling of the K-shell and L-shell radiation from Cu X-pinches with two and four wires and the comparison with experimental spectra. L-shell radiation from symmetric and asymmetric Mo X-pinches with two wires and X-pinches with four wires have also been analyzed and compared. Dependence of the plasma spatial structure, temperature, and density on wire materials and load configurations are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experimental results of studies of the 1MA X-pinch X-ray source in a wide spectral region are overviewed. Implosion dynamics and radiative properties of various X-pinches were studied by spatially and time-resolved X-ray and optical diagnostics. In particular, dynamics of spatial and temporal developments of the structure of X-ray emitting regions (1–5keV), temporal characteristics of X-ray pulses, X-ray radiation outputs and electron beam characteristics from symmetric and asymmetric Mo, Cu, and combined asymmetric Mo/W X-pinches with two or four wires were studied. The mechanisms of X-ray multiburst generation are discussed. The future applications of the high-current X-pinch as a 5–10kJ sub-keV–10keV radiation driver are considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]