GLIDER-A pulsed-current generator for laboratory astrophysics x-ray absorption experiments.
THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020;
91:024701. [PMID:
32113414 DOI:
10.1063/1.5133056]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the field of pulse-power, there has always been an interest on small and medium size pulsed-current generators (≤2 MA) which are affordable and of low maintenance. We developed the GLIDER, a compact and modular generator, that drives a gas-puff z-pinch load as a soft x-ray source (0.1-1 keV) for laboratory astrophysics absorption experiments. It comprises 48 bricks, tightly packed in a 1.7 m × 3.5 m × 0.8 m transformer oil container. Its compactness and reliability was enabled owing to unique multilayered oil-soaked insulators, and more than 100 post-hole convolutes. Its stripline includes interchangeable tiles for ease of construction and maintenance. Six triggering units enable current pulse shaping. The GLIDER was tested up to ±60 kV (34 kJ) and produced 2 MA in 450 ns rise time on a 5 nH load. We present grating spectra of K-shell absorption of neutral O and N proving the experimental concept and demonstrating column density and ionization measurements.
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