Enhanced Kev Peak Power And Yield Using Twisted Pair "Cables" In A Z-Pinch

Individual wires in a z-pinch were replaced with twisted pair "cables" of similar linear mass on the COBRA pulsed power generator, resulting in peak power and yield increases in radiation above 1 keV. A cable is defined here as two or more fine wires twisted together to form a continuous strand with a wavelength (lambda(t)) dependent on the twists per unit length. The magnitude of lambda(t) appears to play a strong role in these increases, with the largest gains found for a lambda(t) of approximate to 0.75 mm. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4729409]