X-ray spectrum and spatial stability of hot spots in gas-puff z-pinch plasmas driven by inductive energy storage pulsed power generator with a plasma opening switch

Gas-puff z-pinch plasmas are driven by an inductive voltage adder inductive energy storage pulsed power generator "ASO-X". ASO-X has the performance of the maximum output voltage and current are 180 kV and 400 kA respectively and can provide a fast rise time current with operating POS. Spectrum radiated from z-pinch plasmas and the spatial distribution of hot spots are investigated in the case with and without operating POS. By driving ASO-X with operating POS the soft x-ray intensity in the range of He-like argon resonance line is increased and the spatial distribution of hot spots are 50% improved with regard to kurtosis of the intensity profile of pinhole photographs compared to those without operating POS.