Development of methods to measure the build quality of the self magnetic pinch radiographic diode

Summary form only given. The repeatability of the radiographic performance of the Self Magnetic Pinch (SMP) diode is crucial to its use to diagnose Hydrodynamic experiments. The diode consists of an electron beam drawn from a cylindrical cathode and accelerated towards an anode foil, behind which a Bremsstrahlung converter target is placed in order to form the radiographic source. Years of experience of operation at AWE have shown that its repeatability is dependant upon the build quality of the diode, this includes component initial design, manufacture, storage, preparation and installation.