Analysis of x-ray spectra obtained in foam Z-pinch experiments

Foam Z-pinch experiments have recently been performed on SATURN to study issues associated with the initiation, acceleration, and stagnation phases of the pinch. Time-integrated x-ray crystal spectra have been recorded from experiments with 5 mg/cc Si aerogel loads and 10 mg/cc agar loads. In this article, we describe results from collisional-radiative equilibrium calculations performed to analyze the Si, Na, and S K-shell emission observed in the spectra. Particular attention is paid to density and opacity effects on intensity ratios involving Heα, He intercombination, and Li-like satellite lines. copyright 1997 American Institute of Physics