Studies into the Time Resolved Source Diameter of a Self Magnetic Pinch Radiographic Diode

The self magnetic pinch diode is being considered as a possible source for future high voltage (10MV) flash radiographic systems being developed. Previous studies at both the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston in the UK and Sandia National Labs (SNL) in the US have investigated the time integrated dose and source diameter produced by the diode. Presented here are results from investigations into the dynamic time history of the source diameter. Experimental investigations have been carried out at both AWE and SNL with the image of the source projected onto fast decay scintilators viewed by nanosecond gating and streak cameras. Experimental measurements are compared with results from 2D and 3D electromagnetic particle in cell codes.