Soft X-ray spectroscopic study of a gas-puff Z-pinch argon plasma

X-ray radiation characteristics of argon plasma produced by a gas-puff Z-pinch device were investigated using an X-ray crystal spectrometer, an X-ray diode, and an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectrometer. Using a germanium crystal we have observed spectral emission from Ar XVII produced by hot spots at the pinched stage. With the help of a 2-m grazing incidence XUV spectrometer, the spectrum of 30 to 250 /spl Aring/ were obtained. Strong lines from Ar VIII to Ar XIII were observed with a continuum whose peak is around 120 /spl Aring/. The radiation energy in the spectral range is estimated to be about 23 joule which is about 0.6% of the electrical energy stored in capacitors.