Z-pinch plasma X-ray source using surface discharge preionization

A Z-pinch plasma X-ray system comprising:

• a chamber comprising an insulating wall and defining a pinch region having a central axis, said insulating wall having an inside surface and an outside surface;
• a pinch anode disposed at one end of said pinch region;
• a conductive shell surrounding said insulating wall and electrically connected to said pinch anode;
• a pinch cathode disposed at an opposite end of said pinch region;
• a gas supply system coupled to said chamber;
• a first conductor defining an edge in close proximity to or contacting the inside surface of said insulating wall;
• a second conductor disposed around the outside surface of said insulating wall, wherein a surface discharge is produced on the inside surface of said insulating wall in response to application of a voltage to said first and second conductors, said surface discharge causing the gas to ionize and to form a plasma shell near the inside surface of said insulating wall;
• and
• a drive circuit connected to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode for applying a high energy electrical pulse to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode, said high energy electrical pulse producing a current through the plasma shell in an axial direction and producing an azimuthal magnetic field in said pinch region, whereby said azimuthal magnetic field causes said plasma shell to collapse to said central axis and to generate X-rays.

A Z-pinch plasma X-ray source comprising:

• a chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, said chamber comprising an insulating wall and defining a pinch region having a central axis, said insulating wall having an inside surface and an outside surface;
• a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of said pinch region;
• a conductive shell surrounding said insulating wall and electrically connected to said pinch anode;
• means for producing a surface discharge on the inside surface of said insulating wall, said surface discharge causing the gas to ionize and to form a plasma shell near the inside surface of said insulating wall,
• wherein said pinch anode and said pinch cathode produce a current through the plasma shell in an axial direction and produce an azimuthal magnetic field in said pinch region in response to application of a high energy electrical pulse to said pinch anode and said pinch cathode,
• whereby said azimuthal magnetic field causes said plasma shell to collapse to said central axis and to generate X-rays.