Pulsed power driven flash X-ray sources for the Hydrus project at AWE

The Hydrus project will provide an enhancement of the flash radiographic diagnostics available in the Hydrodynamics Department at AWE as part of new facilities for hydrodynamics research. The X-ray sources for the experiments carried out at AWE are provided by focused electron beam diodes driven by pulsed power accelerators. A design for a 10 cell IVA (Induction Voltage Adder) has been completed by L3 Communications Pulse Sciences [1] for AWE and three such machines are about to be manufactured to provide the main radiographic capability in the new facility. Research currently being conducted by AWE and international collaborators aims to also develop improved electron beam diodes to meet the requirements for higher radiographic resolution being demanded. The short term radiographic requirements have been demonstrated with a Self Magnetic Pinch Diode [2] driven by the RITS 6 accelerator at SNL [5].