Laser Diagnostics of Metallic Plasmas.

Abstract : The major objectives of the research described was the study of diagnostic techniques for metallic plasmas produced by exploded wire systems. Work accomplished included the development of a diamond die for the extrusion of lithium, ray tracing calculations to determine the deflection and absorption of rays passing through the plasma, and a transmission line calculation used for the design of etalons. Measurements made include X-ray temperature determinations by the line ratio method using scintillator detectors. Experiments were also carried out on a large area CdS detector for the measurement of infrared radiation. A two-wavelength holographic interferometer was designed, constructed, tested, and used for the measurement of density distribution in the exploded wire plasma and a Z-pinch. The useful measurements were made with the system at the ruby doubled frequency, as the transmission through the plasma was greater at this wavelength. The exploded wire system has been modified to accept solid wires of tungsten and aluminum which can be fed from outside the vacuum system and a new X-ray measuring system has been constructed. (Author)