Theoretical analysis of soft x-ray generation in the plasma of a spherical pinch

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Abstract
The production of soft x rays in the plasma of a spherical pinch is estimated, using the simple concepts of Bernstein and Comisar. It is shown that a relatively minor modification of the spherical pinch dynamics is required to account for the effect of radiation loss on the behavior of the plasma. The various time constants governing the plasma are examined and it is shown that of these, the confinement or ‘‘bounce’’ time, the radiation decay time, and the electron-ion equilibration time are the most important. A computer program has been developed which shows that, to retain most of the energy of the discharge in the electrons and thereby maximize the x-ray exposure, it is important to choose the correct time relationship between the central spark and the peripheral inductive discharge of the pinch.

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