Design, hard x-ray source characterization and applications of a plasma focus tailored for flash hard x-ray imaging

A low-energy (2.5 kJ and 30 kV) plasma focus tailored to perform as a hard x-ray radiation source for flash radiography, is presented. The device is operated in a mixture of deuterium and argon to enhance its performance. A study of the breakdown properties of the discharge chamber is presented. The hard x-ray emission was experimentally characterized by means of both: (i) the spatial location of the radiation source inside the discharge chamber and (ii) an effective energy analysis based on systematic measurements of the attenuation of the hard x-ray output through different metallic pieces. Samples of cadmium, copper and nickel with thicknesses in the range 1–6 mm were employed. From single shot images of the set of plates, the effective energy of the radiation was estimated to be around 83 keV. Numerical calculations, based on validated codes, are presented to give an interpretation of the experimental results. Experimental demonstration of the suitability for hard x-ray imaging applications is also presented.