DIAMOND PHOTOCONDUCTING DETECTORS AS HIGH-POWER Z-PINCH DIAGNOSTICS (INVITED)

Diamond photoconducting detectors (PCDs) are one of the primary x-ray diagnostics for z-pinch experiments at Sandia National Laboratories' Saturn facility. Diamond PCDs represent a significant advance in the state of the art for electrical x-ray detectors because of their stability of response, overall flatness of response, and ease of use. We have observed no aging effects in detectors used for years. Five PCDs on Saturn experiments where 1-3 TW of keV x-ray power is emitted in 5-20-ns pulses by z-pinch x-ray sources are routinely fielded. Typical PCDs used at Sandia have dimensions of 1 mm width ×3 mm long ×0.5 mm thick. The techniques used in the assembly, fielding, and calibration of diamond PCDs will be described. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.