Neutral atoms influence on the dynamics of Z-pinch capillary discharge X-ray laser

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of Z-pinch Ar plasma using a one-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) code, in a regime for which a large soft-X-ray amplification has been observed and reported. While some of the model's numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, other features are not. Achieving better agreement with the experimental data requires some major adjustments in the plasma parameters relative to their classical values (as has been reported in previous works). We attribute some of the discrepancies to the high percentage of neutral atoms in the plasma. Therefore we suggest to extend the standard MHD model, by introducing a neutral-species fluid, in addition to the charged-species fluid (ions and electrons).