Dynamic properties of ultra-fast pulsed capillary discharge devices

Summary form only given. We report on a fast pulsed capillary discharge device, which combines the features of transient hollow cathode discharge with the inherent characteristics of the capillary discharge to guarantee radiation in the VUV and soft X-ray region with ns rise time. Various combinations of discharge parameters differing in capacitance of the cell, in the aspect ratio and in the pressure of the filling gas have been studied in order to optimize this table top source to technical and scientific backlighting applications.