A superpowerful source of far-ultraviolet monochromatic radiation

In several independent experiments investigating the interaction between the optical field of an intense laser pulse and a xenon cluster beam, we recorded an anomalously high quantum yield of the plasma radiation in the region 10–15 nm. In several cases, the conversion efficiency into the hemisphere reached 10% of the pumping pulse energy. The nature of this phenomenon has not yet been adequately explained. A high conversion efficiency is shown to be possible when producing a plasma with optimal parameters for the amplification of spontaneous radiation on Ni-like xenon transitions to be generated. In a collisional-radiative model, we performed detailed atomic-kinetic calculations of the gains and radiation spectra on the transitions with λ ≈ 4, 10, and 11.3 nm and in the region 13–13.9 nm. For each transition, we determined the time dependences of the gains on plasma parameters. The theoretical and experimental values of the optimal plasma parameters and energy yields of the radiation are in close agreement. Using a theoretical model, we propose possible plasma pumping schemes to achieve the maximum yield of the intense, narrowly beamed soft X-ray radiation. At a pumping pulse repetition rate of 10⁴ Hz, the output power for various Ni-like xenon transitions ranges from 100 to 5 × 10³ W.     

铝丝阵Z箍缩辐射产生机理初步研究

利用一维非平衡辐射磁流体力学程序研究了铝丝阵内爆过程中的能量转化规律和辐射产生机理.细致讨论了Z箍缩过程中脉冲功率驱动器电磁能馈入等离子体,等离子体动能转化为内能以及通过一系列原子过程电子内能转化为X射线辐射的能量转化机理.结合离子布居信息深入分析了Z箍缩过程中的辐射产生机理.结果表明,在内爆压缩阶段,电离和激发过程占优,线辐射占据总辐射的绝大部分.在滞止时,离子大都处于裸核离化度,连续谱辐射达到峰值.在滞止附近,线辐射出现两个峰值.在膨胀过程中,光电复合过程优于三体复合,线辐射占总辐射的份额逐渐下降.     

Subnanosecond collapse and pinch dynamics at the plasma focus

Compression and pinch phase at the plasma focus were investigated by streak camera observations of the visible emission. The duration of maximum local compression provides no evidence for magnetic confinement of the focus plasma. With increasing hard X-ray intensity a decreasing of the temporal evoution of the pinch phase is observed, indicating enhanced diffusion of magnetic field energy into the locally compressed plasma.     

Investigation of SRS conversion of XeCl laser emission in lead vapor,methane, and hydrogen

We have thus optimized the conditions for SRS conversion of XeCl-laser emission in lead vapor, methane, and hydrogen. The greatest influence on the conversion efficiency is exerted for an SRS cell with lead by the divergence of the pump radiation, the focusing geometry, and the type of buffer gas. The maximum efficiency with respect to absorbed UV energy was ∼57% when xenon gas was used as the buffer, corresponding to 85% of the photon efficiency. The converted radiation could be continuously tuned in the 457.6–459.3 nm band. Addition of a light gas such as helium or hydrogen to methane raised the efficiency of conversion into Stokes components in methane to ∼24 %.     

Cylindrical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-pinch in gas. I. Determination of dependences between discharge integral characteristics

The previously unknown dependences between integral characteristics of the cylindrical Z-pinch in argon were experimentally studied at the stage of its current shell formation and at the initial stage of its plasma pinch compression. Based on these dependences, the power balance at the above stages was determined taking into account the discharge magnetic field energy, electrodynamic force work, gas ionization energy, Joule and shock heating of plasma.     

Electromagnetic radiation sources based on a low-inductive extended z-discharge

Model sources of electromagnetic radiation based on a low-inductive extended z-discharge are studied experimentally and numerically. The discharge is initiated by a high-voltage pulse generator through a long transmission line. It is shown that using a sliding discharge traveling wave, one can provide electrical breakdown of long discharge gaps in a wide range of initial gas pressure and produce a plasma pinch at moderate voltages of the generator. A new nonpinch mechanism of radiation generation is discovered in the soft X-ray range of the spectra. This mechanism offers a higher efficiency of conversion of electrical energy to the energy of an inverted medium.     

Z箍缩内爆过程中的能量转换机制研究

利用一维三温辐射磁流体力学程序对氖气和铝丝阵Z箍缩内爆过程中的能量转换过程进行了详细的数值研究，发现在内爆过程中离子和电子之间的碰撞能量交换是最主要的能量交换过程，其次是电子和光子之间的光电过程和轫致过程，而康普顿散射过程中的能量交换可以忽略不计；辐射出的x射线主要是在光电激发和光电复合过程中产生的，其次是在轫致辐射过程和康普顿散射过程中产生的.理论分析表明，辐射出的x射线能量可以超过，也可能小于其等离子体最大动能.数值模拟结果表明，在氖气Z箍缩中，辐射出的x射线能量没有超过其等离子体最大动能，而在铝丝阵列内爆中，辐射出的x射线能量超过了其等离子体最大动能，但小于磁压所做的功；在整个Z箍缩过程中欧姆加热能量是较小的. 关键词： Z箍缩 能量转换 x射线辐射     

Filamentary structure of the pinch column in plasma focus discharges

The fine structure of a soft (0.8–3 keV) X-ray emitting zone in a 280 kJ neutron optimized plasma focus is investigated. Distinct continuous filaments are registered during the pinch phase. Time-resolved X-ray measurements show that the filamentation exists to ≈ 20–50 ns after the maximum compression. A comparison of these observations with those performed previously with a 56 kJ plasma focus device is also presented.     

Galvanomagnetic and Thermomagnetic Properties of a Nonideal Xenon Plasma at Megabar Pressures in Megagauss Magnetic Fields

A method has been developed for the calculation of tensors of the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of a nonideal plasma in a magnetic field within a unified approach where the kinetic coefficients are calculated together with the equation of state of the nonideal plasma within a quasichemical model. The calculations have shown that the Seebeck coefficient in xenon reaches 3 mV/K, which is slightly smaller than that in hydrogen or deuterium, and the figure of merit appears to be insignificantly higher in xenon. Consequently, the transition from hydrogen (deuterium) to xenon does not result in the expected noticeable improvement of thermoelectric properties. This is due to lower values of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity, as well as to a fast increase in the thermal conductivity of neutral xenon with an increase in its density. It has been shown for the first time that there is a density range where all components of the Seebeck tensor in xenon change their sign because of the Ramsauer minimum in the cross section for scattering of electrons on neutral atoms in the region of comparable values of cyclotron and transport frequencies of electrons.     

Spatially resolved measurements of ion heating during impulsive reconnection in the Madison Symmetric Torus

The impurity ion temperature evolution has been measured during three types of impulsive reconnection events in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch. During an edge reconnection event, the drop in stored magnetic energy is small and ion heating is observed to be limited to the outer half of the plasma. Conversely, during a global reconnection event the drop in stored magnetic energy is large, and significant heating is observed at all radii. For both kinds of events, the drop in magnetic energy is sufficient to explain the increase in ion thermal energy. However, not all types of reconnection lead to ion heating. During a core reconnection event, both the stored magnetic energy and impurity ion temperature remain constant. The results suggest that a drop in magnetic energy is required for ions to be heated during reconnection, and that when this occurs heating is localized near the reconnection layer.     

Emission characteristics and electron kinetic coefficients of the plasma of a transverse volume discharge initiated in a mixture of heavy inert gases with chlorine molecules

The results of studying the radiation due to argon, krypton, and xenon monochloride bands, as well as to the bands of chlorine molecules, from the plasma of a transverse Ar-Kr-Xe-Cl₂ volume discharge are reported. The working mixture of a pulse radiation source is optimized with regard to its pressure and elemental composition and parameters of an excitation system. By numerically solving the Boltzmann kinetic equation for the electron energy distribution function, the transport characteristics of plasma electrons and discharge power specific losses are found for different values of the reduced electric field strength. The plasma parameters are simulated for the quaternary mixture, which is most appropriate for a multiwave UV-VUV source. Qualitative analysis is conducted for the most important electron processes in the multicomponent plasma that govern the joint formation of argon, krypton, and xenon monochlorides in the transverse discharge.     

Diagnostik des Xenon-Plasmas bei hoher Leistung

Several experimental methods for temperature measurements are discussed with respect to their qualities as diagnostic tool for xenon plasmas in the pulsed mode. In this work the continuum radiation intensity corrected for infinite optical thickness is used for the determination of plasma temperature. An uncertainty δT = 1,5% follows from a detailed error calculation. Results are given for p = 6 ?20 at and i = 1 ?3,5 kA/cm². It is proposed to use a xenon pulse discharge as an calibaration standard for black body radiation at T ≈ 11000 ºK in a special pressure range where the plasma temperature is nearly independent on pressure.     

时变等离子体高功率微波频率上转换的粒子模拟

基于电磁波与时变介质相互作用能够实现电磁波频率上转换的原理,通过粒子模拟(PIC)方法对电磁波与时变等离子体薄层相互作用进行模拟,实现了频率由2.45 GHz提升至130 GHz,功率转化效率约为0.39%。探究了等离子体参数(包括等离子体密度、有限的等离子体上升时间以及等离子体薄层厚度)对频率上转换的影响。模拟结果验证了等离子体密度决定上转换频率,与理论结果相符。模拟结果表明,等离子体薄层厚度越大,得到的上转换波的能量越大;等离子体的上升时间越小,上转换波的转换效率和频谱纯度越高。采用等离子体密度21020 cm-3,等离子体厚度1 cm,等离子体上升时间0.04 ns 可以得到可观的130 GHz上转换波输出。     

Trapping of an electromagnetic wave by the boundary of created plasma

We discuss a new phenomenon of the electrodynamics of transient media, the trapping of electromagnetic radiation by the boundary of a transient plasma due to the conversion of the radiation into surface waves localized at the boundary. Calculations are done for an initial plane wave and for a beam of finite width in conditions where the boundary of the suddenly created (because of ionization) plasma half-space is perpendicular to the initial wavefront. Two frequency down-shifted surface waves traveling along the boundary in opposite directions are shown to be excited, as well as frequency up-shifted outgoing radiation and a time-independent mode in the form of a spatially inhomogeneous structure of dc currents and a magnetic field within the plasma half-space. We study the associated kinematic, amplitude, and energy relations. Finally, we establish that the most efficient trapping (up to 40% in energy) can be achieved with the forward (with respect to the direction of the initial wave propagation) surface mode and that the trapping is accompanied by concentration of electromagnetic energy at the plasma boundary. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 1277–1288 (April 1998)     

High-pressure runaway-electron-preionized diffuse discharges in a nonuniform electric field

High-pressure nanosecond diffuse (volume) discharges in a nonuniform electric field are studied experimentally using a recording system with a ?100-ps time resolution. As the voltage pulse shrinks to a width of ≈100 ps, the initiation of a diffuse discharge without a source of additional ionization is facilitated; specifically, a runaway-electron-preionized diffuse discharge is ignited in atmospheric-pressure air in the case of short interelectrode gaps. It is found that a major energy deposit into the plasma of this discharge is from an abnormal glow discharge following a maximum of the gap voltage.     

Buoyant magnetic flux tubes enhance radiation in Z pinches

In numerous experiments, magnetic energy coupled to strongly radiating Z-pinch plasmas exceeds the thermalized kinetic energy, sometimes by a factor of 2-3. We demonstrate that the enhanced energy coupling may be due to the buoyancy rise of toroidal magnetic flux tubes converging to the axis through the unstable pinch plasma. We derive an explicit formula for the enhanced dissipation rate and apply this formula to reconsider an old problem of power balance in a steady-state Z pinch, and then to analyze a new challenge of producing K-shell 3 to 10 keV radiation in long-pulse Z-pinch implosions.     

Formation of tight plasma pinches and generation of high-power soft x-ray radiation pulses in fast Z-pinch implosions

Argon K-shell plasma radiation source experiments were carried out on the GIT-12 generator [Bugaev, S.P. et al., 1997, Russian Phys. Journal, 40, 38] for a long (300 ns) implosion regime. The performance of a shell-on-solid-fill double gas puff was characterized in the experiments with and without an external axial magnetic field. The maximum Ar K-shell radiation yield registered in the experiments without an axial magnetic field was at the level of 1100 J/cm. This yield is consistent with the theoretically predicted yield for a short (100 ns) implosion regime. The experiments showed that the initial magnetic field which provides stabilization of the shell-on-solid-fill double gas puff was lower than that required for stabilization of a single annular gas puff. Satisfactory stabilization of the double gas puff was observed at an initial axial magnetic field of 1.4 kG. The maximum Ar K-shell radiation yield registered in the experiments with the axial magnetic field did not exceed 400 J/cm. A sharp reduction of the K-shell yield cannot be explained only by taking into account the energy losses associated with the compression of the axial magnetic field. Original Text ? Astro, Ltd., 2006.     

Z箍缩等离子体磁重联现象

分析了磁重联对晕等离子体加速和能量平衡过程的影响。分析表明晕等离子体向轴心的加速过程分为两个阶段:第一阶段晕等离子体在磁压或热压(依赖于丝数)作用下向轴心运动;第二阶段晕等离子体由于磁重联过程被加速到阿尔芬速度,并到达轴心形成先驱等离子体。估算表明重联层的厚度与离子的惯性长度具有相同的数量级,电流片内电子运动和离子的运动是解耦合的。在内爆滞止阶段电荷分离产生强的径向电场,这个电场将磁能转化为等离子体轴向(z方向)动能,内爆动能和轴向动能共同转化为X射线辐射能,以此解释了X射线能量大于内爆动能这一观测结果。分析了磁重联电磁脉冲的性质,对于1 MA驱动条件,电磁脉冲的总能量可达kJ量级。     

10 J energy-level optically pumped XeF(C-A) laser with repetition mode

An optically pumped XeF(C-A) laser with 0.1-1 Hz pulse-repetition mode is demonstrated. The maximum output energy is up to 18.7 J, which corresponds to the conversion efficiency of the stored electrical energy to laser output energy of 0.25%. The laser active medium is optically excited by vacuum-ultraviolet radiation of two single-channel surface discharges initiated along opposite walls of the laser cell. The laser resonator output coupling is 10%, and the initial XeF2 concentration in the active gas mixture is ~1 x 10(17) cm(-3). The duration of the observed laser pulses is 0.8 to 1.2 micros, and the spectral band is 470-500 nm.     

靶材对激光等离子体诱导靶上电势信号的影响

将高功率脉冲激光分别作用于Cu、Fe、Al三种金属靶材,通过实验测试激光等离子体在这三种金属靶上产生的电势信号,讨论了靶材料对电势信号的影响.实验结果表明：靶上电势信号早期阶段受靶材料的影响比较显著,早期信号峰值大小随靶材变化顺序依次为：IFe>ICu>IAl,而峰值到达时间依次为：tAl相似文献