Negative polarity rod pinch diode experiments on the astertx generator

ASTERTX is a 6MV Marx+Blumlein X-ray generaton, dedicated to the testing of electrical components. For our experiments, the vacuum diode has been modified in order to set up a flash radiographic diode. The negative polarity rod pinch diode (NPRPD) has been tested on this generator since 2004. The polarity has been reversed from previous experiments2, in order to take advantage from the maximal X-ray emission toward the anode holder at such a voltage. The main goals of these new experiments are a better understanding of the physical phenomena, by the use of new diagnostics as a 4 images high speed camera, a streak camera and vacuum voltage probes.