Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Nov 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000aipc..547...94h&link_type=abstract
ATOMIC PROCESSES IN PLASMAS: Twelfth Topical Conference. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 547, pp. 94-108 (2000).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
1
Theta Pinch, X-Ray And Gamma-Ray Measurements, X-Ray
Scientific paper
In order to provide benchmark data for models used to interpret X-ray astronomy data from newly-launched orbital telescopes such as Chandra, we have used 120 TW, 180 eV pinch plasmas on the Sandia Z facility to drive iron foils into X-ray photoionized equilibrium. The experiment was designed to achieve photoionization parameters characteristic of accretion-powered objects such as X-ray binaries (neutron stars) and active galactic nuclei (black holes). These objects comprise roughly half of observed X-ray sources, but the interpretation of their spectra is difficult: state-of-the-art models for photoionized iron plasmas do not yet agree on the expected ionization balance. In our initial experiments the foil samples consisted of 200 Å of iron codeposited with 300 Å of sodium fluoride and sandwiched between two 1000 Å layers of Lexan (CH and O). We characterized the pinch spectrum, temperature, power and uniformity and qualified it as a photoionization driver. We obtained time-integrated absorption spectra for the foil from 8 to 18 Å and identified spectral lines from O VIII, F IX, Na X and XI, and Fe XVII and XVIII, i.e. neon-line and fluorine-like iron. Time-resolved absorption and emission spectra for the foils were also obtained from 12.5 to 16 Å, and hydrogen-like F and neon-like and fluorine-like Fe were again observed in the 2 ns time window of interest. In subsequent ridealong experiments we have developed a density diagnostic and measured the density via foil-expansion imaging at two locations. We conclude by discussing upcoming experiments at Z in which we plan to obtain a full data set of plasma density, temperature, and absorption and emission spectra for multiple photoionization equilibria. .
Bailey James E.
Cuneo M. E.
Emig Jim
Foord Mark E.
Heeter Robert F.
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