X-ray spectroscopic measurements of a vacuum spark triggered by the transient hollow cathode electron beam

Summary form only given, as follows. The X-ray emission characteristics of a vacuum spark triggered by the transient hollow cathode electron beam have been investigated. Two types of anode material, namely aluminium and copper, are used in this study. The X-ray diagnostics employed include a 5 channel PIN diode setup for the foil absorption technique, an aluminium cathode XRD, a pinhole camera for time-integrated imaging, a mica convex crystal time-integrated spectrometer and an Amptek model XR-100CR Si-PIN diode based spectrometer. The plasmas formed are found to emit predominantly in the continuum. The K line is observed only with multiple exposure and on top of a strong background continuum. The electron temperature of the plasma is estimated to be about 2 to 3 keV from the foil absorption ratio technique as well as from the peak of the continuum obtained.