Microsecond Z-pinch as ultrasoft X-ray radiation source

Spectral characteristics of plasma radiation of a gas Z-pinch with a rise time of 1 μs and current amplitude of 250 kA have been measured. The measurements were performed in the range of X-ray energy quanta from 30 eV to 600 eV. A spectrograph with a transmission grating and a polychromator on the basis of multilayer X-ray mirrors served as the diagnostic devices. Absolutely calibrated semiconducting detectors AXUV-5 were taken as the radiation detector in the polychromator. Full pinch radiation loss was measured with a thermocouple calorimeter. The radiation of He-, Li- and Be- like ions has been shown to dominate at the stage of maximum compression of the nitrogen Z-pinch. The results of the spectral measurements were employed for absolute calibration of various X-ray detectors. Some of these calibration results are presented in the work. Using Ne and Ar as the working gases permits us to proceed to measurements in a ≪harder≫ spectral band and to conduct a detailed study of the line radiation polarization degree for He- like ions of the given elements.