Quantitative x-ray spectroscopy of neon Z-pinch plasmas

Spatially resolved soft x-ray spectra were collected for neon plasmas produced by imploding hollow annular gas puffs with MA level driving currents. The Z-pinch imploded plasmas were studied for different risetime currents produced with or without the use of a plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS). Selected spectrograms were processed and analyzed to obtain absolute energies for the radiation emitted in the Ne ix and Ne x discrete transitions, as well as for total emission over the spectral range 900–1600 eV. The neon plasmas radiate 1–2.5 kJ in this energy range predominantly in the α transitions of both ions. The plasma uniformity inferred from spatially resolved spectral lines improves significantly using a faster rise-time driving current.