Patent Number: 060758384
Section: abstract

A plasma x-ray source includes a chamber defining a pinch region having a central axis, a gas supply for introducing a gas mixture into the pinch region, a preionizing device disposed around the pinch region for preionizing the gas mixture in the pinch region, and a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of the pinch region. The gas mixture includes a primary X-radiating gas, such as xenon, and a low atomic number diluent gas, such as helium. The pinch anode and the pinch cathode produce a current through the plasma shell in an axial direction and produce an azimuthal magnetic field in the pinch region in response to application of a high energy electrical pulse to the pinch anode and the pinch cathode. The azimuthal magnetic field causes the plasma shell to collapse to the central axis and to generate X-rays. The gas mixture provides enhanced radiation intensity and reduced cost for the primary X-radiating gas.