Dense Z-pinches produce strong soft X-ray and VUV emission with ns exposure when working with moderate current at the moment of maximum compression. Within these Z-pinches the Plasma focus geometry offers an efficient production of hot and dense plasmas (kT e more than 100 eV respectively N ion greater than 10 18 cm −3 ) in which also fast thermal ions are created. In order to design such a plasma focus of 1 m 3 laboratory size, which is equivalent to deliver a pinch current of around 200 kA, and a micro plasma focus, which gives 20 kA using a cm 3 scaled device, are investigated. Different direct and indirect diagnostic methods are presented in order to work out the required conditions for efficient ion beam production.