Radial density and temperature distributors in a Z-pinch inferred from time and space resolved spectra on Decade Quad

Summary form only given, as follows. The radial distributions of the electron density and temperature in the compressed phase of a Z-pinch have been inferred from X-ray spectra obtained with spectrometers employing film recording. The rapid temporal variation of the pinch plasma during the radiation phase necessitates time resolved measurements of the emission spectrum to understand the dynamics of the radiation process. HY-Tech has constructed a space and time resolved Johann spectrometer for this purpose. The spectrometer employs four (4) imaging slits in the dispersion plane of the spectrometer to produce four (4) one dimensional images of the spectrum. A 40x45 mm micro-channel plate with 6 mm wide gated strips is used to record these spectra. Radially resolved but axially averaged spectra are obtained if the slits are aligned with the pinch. A limited range of Bragg angles (/spl theta//sub 0/13.50) can be viewed in the Johann geometry. The crystal angle /spl theta//sub 0/, and detector can be rotated from 250 to 550 in the present design to access spectral lines of interest while preserving the Johann geometry. Electron densities and temperature, inferred from Ly/sub /spl alpha//, and He like lines of Cl, added as a 2% dopant to Ar, are reported for puff-on-puff loads on Decade Quad.