High ionization states in exploded-wire plasmas

K, L and M resonance and inner-shell X-ray line spectra have been recorded from high-energy-density exploded-wire plasmas for elements throughout the periodic table. Analysis of the resonance spectra shows that the following ionization stages were attained in dense pinches in the plasmas: He-like Cu27+, Ne-like Ag37+ and Ni-like Au51+. Using a coronal model to describe the plasmas results in estimates of the electron temperatures of approximately 1 to 2 keV. The inner-shell spectra were produced by a non-thermal high-energy component of the electron distribution. (author)