Efficiency of plasma focus for argon K-series line radiation emission

Abstract

X-radiation emission from a low-energy Mather-type plasma focus operated with argon is investigated. Attention is paid to finding the pressure range for the highest argon K-series line emission. The argon line radiation yield is highest at 1.5 mbar and the emitted energy in 4π geometry is estimated to be about 30 mJ, with a system efficiency of 0.0015%. The emission at an energy exceeding 3 keV is found to be highest at a 0.5 mbar filling pressure, giving a total yield of 0.7 J in 4π geometry, which corresponds to a device efficiency of about 0.028%. This emission is mainly due to the interaction of energetic electrons with the anode.