Enhanced copper K-alpha radiation from a low-energy plasma focus

A low-energy (2.3 kJ) plasma focus is operated in an enhanced Cu Kα line emission mode. The emission is dominated by the interaction of electrons in the current sheath with the anode tip. The Cu Kα line radiation of 0.4 J/sr is recorded in the side-on direction, which steadily increases in the end-on direction and attains the value of 0.8 J/sr. It is estimated about 40 J of energy is radiated as x rays, out of which 8 J is in the form of Cu Kα lines in 4π geometry. The radiation yield represents a system efficiency of 1.7% for overall x-ray emission, and 0.35% for the Cu Kα line.