Investigations on slow current driven X-pinch as soft X-ray source for radiographic applications

Abstract

In this work, an X-pinch scheme on relatively slow and low current generator (110 kA with 1 μs rise time) has been developed. The X-pinches consists of two, 13 μm diameter molybdenum (Mo) or tungsten (W) wires have been characterized for its spatial and temporal parameters such as source size, pulse width, and X-ray energy. Multiple bursts of soft X-rays (1–5 keV) with a small contribution of hard X-ray (>5 keV) emitted from the cross point have been observed with both the materials. The X-ray yield, spot size (<25 μm) and pulse width (~5 ns) observed with different diagnostic techniques also the static radiography of wire mesh and dynamic radiographic of exploding wire in return conductor indicates that the X-ray source produced in the X-pinch has a potential in the point-projection radiography of the high-density plasma.