X-RAY TECHNIQUE FOR CONTINUOUS TIME-RESOLVED AND SPACE-RESOLVED OBSERVATION OF HOT-SPOTS

A time- and space-resolved technique to record the evolution of hot spots, local dense hot regions in plasma pinches is presented. Based on a modified form of the ADRRM 2-D x-ray streak technique reported previously, the new method allows the presence of hot spots to be recorded conclusively. The basics of the technique are described and the limitations of the system discussed. The technique has been applied to study the evolution of hot spots in a plasma focus operating with a mixture of Kr and D2. The results demonstrate that the presence and evolution of the hot spots can be recorded with spatial and temporal resolution in the range of mm and ns, respectively.