Diagnostic Tool for Voltage of Ta Bremsstrahlung Sources and Electron Energy in Plasmas

"Development of warm bremsstrahlung sources could benefit from diagnostic techniques for monitoring the evolution of electron beams for diode optimization. FARTECH, Inc., proposes an innovative diagnostic tool to provide time resolved measurements ofelectron energy (diode voltage). This diagnostic tool will accurately measure the ratio of Ta characteristic Ka-line and the continuum intensities within adjacent narrow energy bands. It will provide the modeling tools, the proof-of-principle test, andphysical basis for the development of a small size X-ray scintillation probe that will measure electron energy in a plasma medium, such as plasma opening switch (POS) or Z-pinch. This technology will greatly assist the development of advancedbremsstrahlung sources like reflex diodes/triodes especially in the presence of a POS where inductively corrected voltage monitors become uncertain for electron beam energy and with studies of Z-pinches to determine the mechanism for ion-to-electron energytransfer. During Phase I, FARTECH, Inc., will design and fabricate the optimum balanced filter configuration for an external diode voltage probe and demonstrate its efficacy on a DTRA Ta X-ray source. In Phase II, we will design, fabricate and test aprototype of the in-situ X-ray scintillation probe, for measuring plasma electron energy. Compact diagnostic tools for quantitatively measuring the time evolution of electron beam energy and warm X-ray spect