title: Characteristics of a molybdenum X-pinch X-ray source as a probe source for X-ray diffraction studies.
abstract: X-ray emission from a molybdenum X-pinch has been investigated as a potential probe for the high pressure states made in dynamic compression experiments. Studies were performed on a novel 300 kA, 400 ns generator which coupled the load directly to a low inductance capacitor and switch combination. The X-pinch load consisted of 4 crossed molybdenum wires of 13 μm diameter, crossed at an angle of 62°. The load height was 10 mm. An initial x-ray burst generated at the wire crossing point, radiated in the soft x-ray range (hυ < 10 keV). This was followed, 2-5 ns later, by at least one harder x-ray burst (hυ > 10 keV) whose power ranged from 1 to 7 MW. Time integrated spectral measurements showed that the harder bursts were dominated by K-alpha emission; though, a lower level, wide band continuum up to at least 30 keV was also present. Initial tests demonstrated that the source was capable of driving Laue diffraction experiments, probing uncompressed samples of LiF and aluminium.
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zucchini
authors.affiliation: Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chauvin
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Combes
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sol
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loyen
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roques
authors.affiliation: CEA, DAM, GRAMAT, F-46500 Gramat, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grunenwald