Upgrading a Z-Pinch Radiation Source on Ambiorix, a 2-MA Pulsed Power Generator

Summary form only given. Ambiorix is a 0.5Omega generator which can deliver a 2 MA, 50 ns pulse current. It was built in 1985 with a bremsstrahlung diode. During the 1990´s, a gas puff Z-pinch configuration was adapted with neon and argon gases commonly used. In 2003, we improved the coupling between the generator and the load by changing the pulse forming line (Beams 2004). In this paper, we present all the modifications performed in order to upgrade the working of Ambiorix as well as its performance: (1) a new geometry for the main switch in order to be more repetitive, (2) a different system of synchronization between gas and generator, (3) a novel position for the valve (on the anode) to limit current losses. Between 2.3 and 2.5 kJ in K-shell radiation can now be obtained with argon, compared to 0.5 and 1.5 before