Soft X-ray point source based on a gas pinch

The results of a study of a radiating Z-pinch with a profiled initial gas-density distribution over the z axis are presented. The gas distribution with the density maximum and transverse-size minimum at the discharge-gap center is formed by a pulsed gas valve with a specially designed nozzle. The parameters of X-ray radiation are measured for pinches formed in gaseous neon at currents of up to 200 kA. The experimentally selected gas density ensures the formation of a region with a typical size of less than 1 mm at the discharge-gap center. This region emits X-ray radiation in the keV photon-energy range in a time of less than 5 ns. Prospects for the development of an X-ray source based on this mechanism are discussed.