Using of X-Pinch as a Source in X-Ray Radiography Studying of Initial Stage of Wire Explosion

A wire explosion in a gaseous and condensed media expends possibilities of study of phase transitions of the wire material. We studied the influence of the external media (air, water and oil) on the explosion of Cu, Ni and W wires of diameter 10...50 μm. Wires were exploded by the current pulse with the rise time from 200 to 300 ns and the amplitude up to 10 kA. The pulse was produced by a generator based on a low-inductance capacitor, the discharge voltage being 20 kV. Experimental results are discussed on obtaining the wire explosion images in gaseous and liquid media with the help of hard X-ray radiation of an X-pinch in the BIN facility. Exploded wires were placed outside the BIN vacuum chamber and images were registered on the film without magnification. Spatial resolution was limited by film grain structure, and reached 20...30 μm. Spectral range of the imaging radiation (15...30 keV) was determined by vacuum chamber window material, film sensitivity and thickness of the media where wire was exploded. Temporal resolution was about 10...20 ns and depended on X-pinch wire material and thickness