Soft X-Ray Emission Optimization in Plasma Focus

The X-ray emission from the Mather type plasma focus is measured with array of filtered PIN diodes. Time resolved signals indicate the emission profile upon pinching can be resolved into an emission from the plasma and a component corresponds to line emission due to electron bombardment of anode. The total X-ray energy obtained per discharge has an equivalent dosage in the order of mGrey. This low dose soft X-ray can potentially used in superficial cancer therapy. In this work, the optimization is carried out to determine the highest achievable dose per discharge. It is found that at higher operating pressure, the plasma focusing occurs after the current maximum and produces a broad emission of soft X-ray, measured in the different energy range according to the filters. The total dose obtained is higher compared to the plasma pinching at the characteristic time. The X-ray emission is more intense and last a longer duration giving the higher total soft x-ray yield. The experiments are also numerically simulated in Lee Model. The radiation output calculated from the model are compared to the measured data.