Spectroscopic modeling of radiation from planar wire arrays produced on the 1 MA pulsed power generator at UNR

Summary form only given. Planar wire arrays were shown to produce the record-high peak radiation powers and yields in sub-keV and keV among all other tested loads on the 1 MA pulsed power Zebra generator at UNR. Spectroscopic modeling of radiation from such wire arrays is essential for understanding of the plasma parameters achieved in their implosions. X-ray spectra and images from 10 wire planar arrays from Alumel (alloy with 95% of Ni and 5% Al), Cu (alloy with 4% of Ni), and Al/Cu (2 Al and 8 Cu wires) were accumulated in recent experiments on Zebra. In particular, axially resolved time integrated X-ray K-shell spectra of Al and L-shell spectra of Cu and Ni were recorded by a KAP crystal (in a spectral region from 6 to 15 Aring) through different slits. The same spectra were recorded by a time-gated spectrometer in a spectral region from 6 to 10.5 Aring. In addition, spatially integrated harder X-ray spectra were monitored by a LiF crystal. Non-LTE kinetic models of Al, Ni, and Cu provided spatially and time resolved plasma parameters. The comparison with X-pinch and cylindrical wire array data is presented. Advantages of using wire array loads from alloys with small concentrations of tracer or composed from wires of a different material for spectroscopic plasma diagnostics will be highlighted. The distinct features of wire arrays plasma dynamics, magnetic energy dissipation and radiation from planar wire arrays will be discussed