Thin object radiography with a 2.2 MeV pulsed power machine

An experimental series was performed at a pulsed-power 2.2 MeV flash radiography machine to determine the lower limits of its mass sensitivity. This machine uses a rod-pinch diode with accelerating potential of 2.2 MeV and 50 ns pulse duration. Tungsten, aluminium, and titanium rod anodes were used to tune the emitted bremsstrahlung spectrum; as well as aluminium and beryllium filter materials. Analysis of thin tantalum foils shows a mass sensitivity as low as 300