Preliminary x-ray Thomson scattering using the hybrid x-pinch as a probe source

Summary form only given. X-ray Thomson scattering (XRTS) has been shown to be a powerful diagnostic for the field of high energy density plasma physics and warm dense matter (WDM) research
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. The stringent photometric and bandwidth requirements have historically relegated XRTS probe sources to high energy laser plasma sources or free electron lasers. Standard x-pinch configurations in which two or more fine wires cross and subtend an angle of about 30° forming an “X” between an anode and cathode can produce extremely intense, sub-nanosecond bursts of continuum and line radiation from micron-scale sources. The hybrid x-pinch is a relatively new configuration based on conical W-Cu alloy electrodes with a short 1-2mm gap that is closed by a fine wire typically 50-150μm in diameter resulting in an easier-to-load setup while maintaining similar performance characteristics
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. We explore the possibility of utilizing the hybrid x-pinch as a novel XRTS probe source by examining certain spectral and temporal attributes of a range of materials in a hybrid x-pinch configuration on the XP (500kA, 50ns) and COBRA(1MA, 100ns) pulsed power platforms. We conclude that a Ti hybrid x-pinch can produce >10
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photons/sr in Ti He-α (4.75keV) radiation and satisfy the noncollective scattering bandwidth requirement of ΔE/E ≤ 0.01. Al hybrid x-pinch produced Al He-β (1.87keV) radiation also appears to meet the photometric requirement while satisfying the collective scattering regime bandwidth requirement of ΔE/E ≤ 0.002. Measurements of photon fluence, bandwidth, source size, burst duration, applicability to the relevant scattering regime and initial scattering results will be discussed.