Hybrid X-Pinch Optimization: Radiative Collapse Study

On order to begin a detailed study on the Hybrid X-pinch to investigate the process behind the micropinch formation and confirm whether or not radiative collapse is the underlying process, we want a single, strong X-ray burst from the hybrid X-pinch at a reproducible time with
$\mathrm{a}\pm 1$
ns accuracy. An optimization study was done for the following materials: Al, Ag, Mo, and Ti by changing the gap distance between the two conical electrodes. Different diameters were used in order to keep the mass per unit length the same. It appears that 0.5-1.5 mm gap was satisfactory to assure a single micropinch from a 300 kA, 50 ns rise time current pulse on the XP pulsed power generator. In addition, a time optimization study was carried on Ti wires, more than 50% of the shots produced X-rays at a consistent time. Time consistency was achieved by varying the gap distance and changing the wire diameter. It was found that smaller diameter wires with larger electrode gap distances were more consistent. We are also in the process of expanding this study to include more data points, as well as other load wire materials.