X rays from z-pinches on relativistic electron-beam generators

This review summarizes recent experimental data on imploding z-pinches and their radiation output, and gives an overview of theoretical issues concerning radiation production in the pinch plasma. A z-pinch plasma is created when the current from a fast, powerful electrical generator compresses and heats a small amount of material between the electrodes. The hot, dense plasma emits copious amounts of radiation extending from the visible to the X-ray region. With a 10-TW electrical discharge, the radiative power may be a few TW, with an energy per pulse of up to tens of kilojoules. The paper considers mainly the photons with energy around 1 keV, which are useful in X-ray lithography, microscopy, surface studies and other applications.