Flash x-ray tube for diffraction studies on a two-stage light-gas gun

A flash x-ray tube has been fabricated and has been driven by a Blumlein pulse generator to peak voltages of 60 to 80 kV and peak anode currents of 8 to 10 kA. The pulse width, dependent upon the anode-cathode spacing, can be made approx.80-ns wide, and a small spot or line focus is possible. These features make the device useful for flash x-ray diffraction studies. Current in the diode region exceeds the calculated space-charge limited values, probably because of neutralization of charge by plasma ejected from the cathode during the initial phase of the discharge