Evolution and structure of molybdenum plasmas created on the Z-accelerator at Sandia National Laboratory

Summary form only given, as follows. Experiments on the Z Accelerator have used molybdenum wires in imploding arrays to create hot dense plasmas that radiate multi-keV energy x-rays. These molybdenum (Z = 42) plasmas create a broad spectrum of L-shell x-rays ranging from 2.3 to 3.5 keV when stripped to the sodium-, neon- and fluorine-like states. We have measured outputs in this spectral range of 65 to 80 kJ and powers up to 8 TW. The diameter of the 20 mm long plasma varies while assembling; at stagnation we have measured it to be as small as 0.7 mm, while on other shots it was compressed to a diameter of 1.3 mm. Previously reported analysis of our time-integrated spectra has indicated an electron temperature of 1.7 to 1.8 keV, with electron densities of approximately 10/sup 21/ cm/sup -3/; however, these represent spatially and temporally averaged values. In the present work we extend our analysis to include time- and space-resolved measurements of these x-rays. We use synthetic spectra to determine plasma temperatures and densities, which form the basis for a picture of plasma evolution and structure. The measurements and analysis will be presented.