Soft X-ray emissions by high-current vacuum discharges

Soft X-ray emissions by Z-pinch discharge between vacuum spark electrodes are examined. Mainly aluminum and molybdenum were utilized to generate soft X-rays, and emissions resulted for pulse currents of about 150 kA. These emissions increased as the discharge current increased. A large X-ray intensity was obtained when a spherical anode and a conical cathode were used. A stable spot plasma was produced for an electrode separation distance of 2 mm. For molybdenum, the X-ray emission of the 0.52-nm line and continuous X-rays of 0.65-1.2 nm were observed. The X-ray continuum was assumed to be a recombination continuum. For aluminum alloy containing magnesium, the 0.62-, 0.66-, 0.72-, 0.78-, and 0.92-nm lines were observed. The experimental results indicate that vacuum spark is a potential exposure source for X-ray lithography     

Phenomenological model of the unstable stage of a vacuum spark discharge

A model of the unstable stage of a spark discharge in vacuum is proposed, which describes all typical manifestations of this stage, including current spikes in the diode, an increase in the potential at the cathode flame front, collective acceleration of ions in vacuum and plasma diodes, change in the cathode erosion mechanism, and the emergence of electron microbeams with a high current density at the anode. It is shown that these processes are associated with the formation of a charged electron layer of a spatially inhomogeneous plasma at the cathode flame boundary at the unstable stage of the spark discharge in vacuum. The emergence of this layer is associated with a limited emissive ability of the plasma at the cathode flame front during its expansion in vacuum. This leads to disruption of the plasma (field-induced emission of electron from the boundary region of the flame) and the formation of a short-lived charged plasma, viz., high-density ion cluster at the cathode flame boundary. The estimates obtained using this model are in good agreement with the experimental data on physical processes at the unstable stage of a vacuum spark discharge.     

Observation of enhanced prebreakdown electron beams in a vacuumspark with a hollow-cathode configuration

The generation of prebreakdown electron beams in a low-energy vacuum spark with a hollow-cathode configuration is observed under a range of experimental conditions. The vacuum spark studied is powered by either a 25-kV, 3.3-nF single capacitor discharge or a two-stage, 50-kV, 1.65-nF Marx. The electron beams are detected by observing the X-ray emission from the anode tip produced by electron impact. Results show that an electron beam is formed well before the onset of the electrical breakdown. This prebreakdown electron beam has an initial slow buildup phase followed by an exponential rise, leading to the breakdown of the discharge. This behavior of the electron beam evolution is in good qualitative agreement with the model simulation of the pseudospark phenomenon obtained for a transient hollow-cathode discharge     

Spatial and temporal characteristics of the X-ray emitted by a 1-J50-ns vacuum discharge

The X-ray emission from a source based on a small vacuum discharge is studied. Two different X-ray pulses whose intensities vary with the anode-cathode distance are identified. Time integrated pinhole images show that the whole anode and the teflon insulator emit X-rays. Some of the X-ray emission is found to originate also in the vicinity of the tungsten anode. The temporal behavior of the X-ray varies with respect to the distance between the anode and the cathode. Three different cathode geometries are tested: hollow cathode, hollow conical cathode, and massive or needle cathode. The spatial distribution of the X-ray sources is obtained by means of a sensitive imaging device. Some X-ray spots that appear in the discharge gap near the anode tip are similar to hot spots found in more powerful discharges     

Correlation of x-ray and neutron emissions from an ion implosion system

The paper presents the results of space- and time-resolved studies of X-rays and neutrons emitted by the SOWA-150A ion-impulsion facility equipped with a coaxial set multi-rod electrodes. Proportionality and correlation of neutron and hard X-ray pulses favour the hypothesis of a beam-target mechanism of the neutron production.     

A design of an inexpensive demountableX-ray tube

An inexpensive and simple demountable X-ray source, having facilities to excite X-rays either by bombardment of a target by electrons or by fluorescence, has been developed using a stainless steel chamber having six ports. A cathode assembly from a burnt out sealed off Machlett X-ray tube was carefully removed and reused in the present set-up after replacing the filament. A conventional vacuum system consisting of a rotary and diffusion pumps has been utilized for evacuating the chamber. The set-up can be conveniently utilized to carry out X-ray emission spectroscopic work.     

Study of the X-ray emission from Ta plasma obtained by ns laser ablation

In this work, the continuum spectrum of X-rays originated from the interaction of a moderate intensity ns Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 9 ns, 30 Hz, 900 mJ, 10¹¹ W/cm²) with Ta target producing plasma is investigated. Plasma expands unisotropically with a velocity, depending on the pressure of the residual gas in the vacuum chamber. The X-ray intensity is a function of the laser energy and of the gas pressure inside the chamber. The X-ray energy is measured with an X-ray filter positioned in front of the Si(Li) solid-state detector. A temperature of about ～1–2 keV of the hot electrons, responsible for the continuum spectrum emission from the plasma, is calculated from the fit of the X-ray spectrum, applying a Maxwellian distribution.     

Characteristics of a vacuum spark triggered by the transient hollowcathode discharge electron beam

The discharge characteristics of a vacuum spark triggered by the transient hollow cathode discharge (THCD) electron beam is investigated over a wide variety of discharge conditions. Two systems of the vacuum spark device have been considered-the first system powered by eight 2700-pF doorknob capacitors charged to a voltage of 40 kV (input energy of 17.6 J); while the second system employs a single 1.85-μF Maxwell capacitor discharged at a voltage of 20 kV (input energy of 370 J). The operating pressure of these systems has been varied over the range of 10 ^-2 to 10^-5 mbar in order to examine the effect of the operating pressure on the plasma formation of the vacuum spark discharge. The effectiveness of plasma heating has been found to be significantly enhanced in the two vacuum spark systems studied here. In particular, the plasma of the 17.6 J system has been observed to be heated to a condition hot enough to emit in the X-ray region when the operating pressure is reduced from 10^-2 to 10^-5 mbar. Similarly, in the case of the 370 J system, hot spot formation is also observed to occur only at a low operating pressure of 10^-4 mbar     

Surface modification of platinum by laser-produced X-rays

Laser-induced plasma is used as an X-ray source for the growth of hillocks like nanostructures on platinum surface. To generate X-rays, plasma is produced by Nd:YAG laser, which is operated at second harmonics (λ?=?532?nm, E?=?400?mJ). Analytical grade 5?N pure Al, Cu and W are used as laser targets for X-rays production. X-rays produced from Al, Cu and W plasmas are used to irradiate three analytical grade (5?N pure) platinum substrates, respectively, under the vacuum ～10^?4 torr. XRD analysis shows considerable structural changes in the exposed platinum. The decrement in reflection intensities, increment in dislocation line density, change in d-spacing and disturbance in the periodicity of planes evidently prove these structural changes. Atomic force microscope AFM topographic analysis of the platinum exposed to X-rays emitted from Al, Cu and W targets showed that nanometer-size hillocks are produced on the platinum surface irrespective of the source. It has also been observed that due to these hillocks, the roughness of the surface has increased. Conductivity of hillocks produced from X-rays produced by Al, Cu and W targets is compared and it is shown that the hillocks produced by Al target X-rays have better conductivity compared to the hillocks produced by X-rays from Cu and W targets.     

Thin-film deposition by combining plasma jet with spark discharge source at atmospheric pressure

This study demonstrates a method for the deposition of CuO_x thin films by combining atmospheric pressure plasma jet with spark discharge. In this type of discharge source, the bulk copper material of spark discharge electrodes plays the role of a precursor. Copper atoms and particles go through the physical processes of sputtering, evaporation, and further agglomeration and condensation in the plasma jet and on the substrate. The experiments were carried out with and without a combination of discharges. The material coated on the substrate was studied using a scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The characteristics of the set-up and plasma, such as I-V curves, optical emission spectra, and substrate temperature, were also measured. Copper electrodes were examined for erosion by a scanning electron microscope. The results demonstrate that deposits coated by combined discharge show denser and thicker films.     

Observations of vacuum spark dynamics from its X-ray emission

The behavior of a medium energy (~1 kJ) pulse-power-driven vacuum spark is shown to depend on the electrode material and form of the anode in otherwise similar conditions of operation. The dynamical evolution of the discharge is followed from its soft X-ray emission. The electrode materials compared are titanium and aluminum with a form of anode that is tubular or conical. The use of a tubular anode favors a more uniform sheath and a better formation of a dense Z-pinch and the ensuing hot spots are found to be at least twice as bright. The position of the brightest spots differs according to the material and the electrode shape, and is found to coincide with the shape of the sheath. The energy output is measured and the density of the plasma in the hot spots may be calculated     

Combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

A combination of spark discharge and nanoparticle-enhanced laser-induced plasma spectroscopy is investigated. Depositing Au nanoparticles at the surface of a brass target can enhance the coupling of the target and the laser. More atoms in the brass sample are excited. As a secondary excitation source, spark discharge reheats the generated plasma, which further amplifies the enhancement results of nanoparticles. The spectral intensity with the spark discharge increases more obviously with nanoparticle concentration increasing than without the spark discharge. Also, plasma temperature and electron density are calculated by the Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening. The changes in the plasma temperature and electron density are consistent with the spectral emission changes.     

空泡机制产生betatron X射线辐射的数值模拟

针对SILEX钛宝石激光器参数,采用PIC数值模拟程序VORPAL对激光尾波场加速进行了模拟,得到了电子轨迹及能量数据,进而通过理论计算得到了空泡机制下X射线辐射特性。结果表明,空泡机制下高能电子在空泡中做betatron振荡且多数电子被加速到170 MeV左右;加速能量较低的电子（约100 MeV）, 其辐射谱为临界能量约3 keV的类同步辐射谱,发散角约为8 mrad,而能量较高的电子（约170 MeV）对应的光子临界能量约为10 keV。     

基于激光驱动等离子体X光源的X射线相衬成像

为了诊断惯性约束聚变(ICF)内爆靶丸球壳的多层信息,在神光Ⅱ激光器上对激光驱动等离子体X光源的相衬成像进行了研究。利用神光Ⅱ第9路激光驱动平面Ti靶获得X光源,在10μm的针孔约束下作为次级点光源对样品成像,用X光胶片记录。成功地将相衬成像技术应用于ICF实验,综合考虑成像放大倍数、分辨力、成像衬度和抑制烧蚀碎片等因素,选择合适的实验条件,成功获得了清晰的双层内爆靶丸球壳结构,空间分辨力优于10μm。     

Characterization of sliding spark plasma source for direct trace spectronalysis

The sliding spark plasma – which is produced via ablation of a dielectric material enforced between a pair of electrodes by a pulsed high-voltage discharge propagating along the dielectric surface – has immense potential as a simple but novel spectroscopic source for direct in situ quantitative analysis of non-conducting samples, a ubiquitous theme in material characterization. The plasma-excited optical spectrum spans a broad spectral range Vacuum Ultra Violet-Near Infra Red (VUV-NIR) and carries the atomic and molecular signatures of the base matrix chemical composition. Since the analytical figures of merit for quantitative spectroanalysis are a function of the spark source and dielectric matrix ablation characteristics, we systematically studied the sliding spark plasma source, utilizing a charge-coupled device spectrometer with blazed holographic grating in order to find the combination of parameters that can tailor the source for trace spectroanalysis of dielectrics in air and atmospheric pressure. It was observed that in the UV–vis spectral range a unique set of sample matrix conditions, besides spark source parameters, exists for enhanced trace analyte spectral emission with low signal-to-noise ratios and where trace spectrochemical analysis of dielectrics depends multivariately on spark scan frequency, electrode geometry, plasma discharge current, spark source inductance, initial rate of applied voltage, mode of sample ablation, and specific capacitance of the dielectric surface.     

The Effect of the Polarity and Design of the Discharge System on the X-ray Spectrum of the Micropinch Discharge Plasma

The spectral composition and X-ray radiation yield of a micropinch discharge plasma obtained at a facility of the low-inductance vacuum spark type are studied as a function of the polarity and design of the electrodes of the discharge system. It is shown that the X-ray radiation of the micropinch discharge plasma depends on the configuration of the electric field in the interval between the discharge electrodes, which determines the amount of erosion products involved in the micropinch process, resulting in the increase in the plasma density and its radiative characteristics.     

Measurement of neutrons and X-rays from a vacuum spark

The Jülich DPF I machine was modified to operate as a vacuum spark. It was established that with an operating pressure varying from 10^-4 to 10^-5 torr a voltage within the range of 14–17 kV was necessary to ensure a dense plasma phase as indicated by soft X-ray pinhole photography and current measurements. Operating with a LiD-filled channel in the anode, occasional bursts of neutrons were detected with a time-of-flight scintillator system. The yield, however, was erratic and below 10⁷ per discharge.     

长间隙真空触发开关导通特性

基于真空触发开关的导通机理,设计了长间隙真空触发开关导通特性的实验方案。根据高速摄像图片讨论了长间隙真空触发开关的导通过程和影响导通特性的因素。通过实验得到了触发电流对间隙脉冲电流的影响规律:采用上升时间较短且峰值较高的触发电流,能够明显降低主间隙的火花电阻和导通延时,验证了对导通过程的理论预测。     

氮气火花开关击穿机制的理论和数值研究

三电极气体火花开关带有触发极,相比两电极开关,其开关导通的可控性较高,工作电压较低且抖动小,所以气体火花开关中三电极开关的应用较为广泛.本文针对大气压氮气环境下的两电极开关和三电极开关的击穿机制进行了理论与数值模拟研究.通过理论和数值计算发现,对于平板-平板的两电极开关来说,低电压下(小于6.3 kV)无法产生流注击穿,高电压下(大于6.3 kV)会先形成由阴极到阳极的负流注,然后再形成由阳极向阴极的正流注.而在三电极开关的击穿过程中,首先会在触发极和绝缘体之间发生击穿,然后这个通道不断向阴阳极扩展,最终形成阴阳极之间的电弧通道.在本文的计算工况下,如果需要阴极-触发极、阳极-触发极同时击穿的话,其阴极-触发极之间的外加电压需要大于1.18 kV,而阳极-触发极之间的外加电压需要大于3 kV.当考虑触发极的场致发射后,该击穿阈值可以显著降低.     

Variation of soft X-ray emission with gas pressure in a plasmafocus

The variation of the soft X-ray emission in a low energy (3 kJ, 15 kV) plasma focus over a range of pressures is investigated. The working gases are argon and an argon-hydrogen mixture. The X rays are detected using an assembly of PIN-Si diodes with differential filtering and with a multipinhole camera, soft X rays originating from the plasma and from electron beam activity on the copper anode are observed. In general, three pressure regimes can be discerned. In the first regime, both the plasma X rays and the copper line radiation are weak. In the second regime, the X-ray emission is intense and the contribution from copper lines is strong. In the third pressure regime, the plasma X rays are intense while contribution from the copper X-rays are weak