Dynamics, stability, and possible X-ray lasing of imploded plasmas

Imploding wire arrays driven by 5 TW generators create dense Z pinches of temperatures < 2 keV and densities of 10²⁰–10²¹ e⁻/cc. Theoretical calculations of assembly times have durations of 3 to 5 ns, while observed X-ray waveforms are 10 to 15 ns. The X-ray duration is an indication of the symmetry. Experimentally, symmetry is improved by increasing the number of wires (at constant mass) and by decreasing the initial array radius (at constant implosion time). X-ray photos in several colors show structure in the imploded plasma. Spatial structure has been observed holographically to start with whiskers and grow like a Rayleigh-Taylor instability. MeV X-rays are produced from LI voltages that create runaway electrons. These voltages are measured to be ≥ 2 MeV when the implosion occurs. This voltage is held off for ≥ 20 ns over distance of 1.5 mm in the vacuum feed and leads to electric fields of ≥ 13 MV/cm and power flow of ≥ 15 Tw/cm² when the implosion occurs. If these pinches can be made highly co-linear. X-ray lasing in neonlike krypton (83 eV) and molybdenum (128 eV) may result. The radiative decay line of the neon-like ions has been observed in PITHON plasmas.