Theoretical development of m-shell spectroscopy for Z-pinch plasma diagnostics

Tungsten wire explosions are being intensively studied at Sandia National Laboratories. Any available x-ray spectral data accumulated in Z experiments with appropriate theoretical modeling can lead to better understanding of plasma evolution during a wire explosion. The present work focuses on the theoretical development of M-shell spectroscopy of W ions in the spectral range from 4 up to 8 A. The majority of line emissions in this spectral region is composed of 31 → 41′, 51″ transitions. Atomic data were calculated using Cowan and MBPT codes for all isoelectronic sequences contributing into this spectral range. The non-LTE kinetic model was developed based on these atomic data. The sensitivity of this model to the number of included ions, configurations and levels, the electron density, ionization balance, and electron distribution function is discussed. The complete modeling of this spectrum allows a detailed diagnostic of a hotter plasma core in z-pinch experiments involving heavy ions.