Radiative properties of asymmetric and symmetric X-pinches with two and four wires recently produced on the UNR 1 MA Zebra generator

Abstract Experimental results of studies of the 1 MA X-pinch X-ray source in a wide spectral region are overviewed. Implosion dynamics and radiative properties of various X-pinches were studied by spatially and time-resolved X-ray and optical diagnostics. In particular, dynamics of spatial and temporal developments of the structure of X-ray emitting regions (1–5 keV), temporal characteristics of X-ray pulses, X-ray radiation outputs and electron beam characteristics from symmetric and asymmetric Mo, Cu, and combined asymmetric Mo/W X-pinches with two or four wires were studied. The mechanisms of X-ray multiburst generation are discussed. The future applications of the high-current X-pinch as a 5–10 kJ sub-keV–10 keV radiation driver are considered.