Measurement of the Soft X-Ray Emission Energy Spectrum for a Vacuum Spark with Laser Triggering

The technique and results of measuring the soft X-ray emission spectra of a vacuum spark plasma with laser triggering for aluminum 13 Al and iron 26 Fe cathodes are presented. The use of a diagnostic technique based on thermoluminescent detectors of lithium fluoride LiF (Mg, Ti) makes it possible to study X‑ray radiation in the energy range of 0.2–15 keV quanta. These studies have shown that the X-ray yield of the plasma and the shape of the X-ray spectrum depend on the material of the discharge electrodes. The highest integral emission yield was observed for the aluminum cathode, while the contribution to the spectrum of the hard component prevailed for the iron cathode.