Preliminary x-ray Thomson scattering using the hybrid x-pinch as a probe source

Abstract

Summary form only given. X-ray Thomson scattering (XRTS) has been shown to be a powerful diagnostic for the field of high energy density plasma physics and warm dense matter (WDM) research1. The stringent photometric and bandwidth requirements have historically relegated XRTS probe sources to high energy laser plasma sources or free electron lasers. Standard x-pinch configurations in which two or more fine wires cross and subtend an angle of about 30° forming an “X” between an anode and cathode can produce extremely intense, sub-nanosecond bursts of continuum and line radiation from micron-scale sources. The hybrid x-pinch is a relatively new configuration based on conical W-Cu alloy electrodes with a short 1-2mm gap that is closed by a fine wire typically 50-150μm in diameter resulting in an easier-to-load setup while maintaining similar performance characteristics2. We explore the possibility of utilizing the hybrid x-pinch as a novel XRTS probe source by examining certain spectral and temporal attributes of a range of materials in a hybrid x-pinch configuration on the XP (500kA, 50ns) and COBRA(1MA, 100ns) pulsed power platforms. We conclude that a Ti hybrid x-pinch can produce >1012 photons/sr in Ti He-α (4.75keV) radiation and satisfy the noncollective scattering bandwidth requirement of ΔE/E ≤ 0.01. Al hybrid x-pinch produced Al He-β (1.87keV) radiation also appears to meet the photometric requirement while satisfying the collective scattering regime bandwidth requirement of ΔE/E ≤ 0.002. Measurements of photon fluence, bandwidth, source size, burst duration, applicability to the relevant scattering regime and initial scattering results will be discussed.