Energy Spectrum Measurement of X-Ray Radiation From a Compact X-Pinch Device

X-ray point source generated by X-pinches on the compact pulsed power device PPG-2 of Tsinghua University is well suited for phase-contrast imaging of weakly X-ray absorbing organism. Using six sets of photoconducting devices each covered by a filter of specific transmittance curve, the X-ray radiation energy spectra from Mo-wire and W-wire X-pinches were experimentally studied. It was found that X-ray with photon energy less than 2 keV takes the main part, about 70% of the total radiation, and the energy spectrum obeys exponential distribution; the bumps in the intervals of 2-3 keV for Mo and 4-6 keV for W may be attributed to the existence of line spectra such as L-shell of Mo and M-shell of W. Compared with the results of other groups, our measured X-ray energy yield were several times higher. The reasons may be attributed to differences in load current rising rate or different responses of X-ray detectors.