Measurement of Temperature, Density, and Particle Transport with Localized Dopants in Wire-ArrayZPinches

Abstract

Axially localized NaF dopants are coated onto Al cylindrical wire arrays in order to act as spectroscopic tracers in the stagnated z-pinch plasma. Non-local-thermodynamic-equilibrium kinetic models fit to Na K-shell lines provide an independent measurement of the density and temperature that is consistent with spectroscopic analysis of K-shell emissions from Al and an alloyed Mg dopant. Axial transport of the Na dopant is observed, enabling quantitative study of instabilities in dense z-pinch plasmas.

Studying Radiation from Z-pinch Wire Array and X-Pinch Plasmas: K-shell Mg to M-shell Mo

“…In particular, axially localized NaF dopants (5-10%) coated onto Al cylindrical wire arrays were used as spectroscopic tracers in the stagnated Z-pinch plasma. The low-mass NaF coatings employed did not perturb the implosion by a detectable amount, but produced enough line emission to allow inference of temperature and density via K-shell spectroscopy coupled with non-LTE kinetic modeling [12]. Conical Wire Arrays with eight aluminum wires with various cathode (6-16 mm) and anode (18-30 mm) diameters were used to study axial temperature gradients in the plasma column at stagnation [13].…”

“…CWAs with coated aluminum wires were used for measurement of temperature, density, and particle transport with localized dopants in wire-array Zpinches [12]. In particular, axially localized NaF dopants (5-10%) coated onto Al cylindrical wire arrays were used as spectroscopic tracers in the stagnated Z-pinch plasma.…”