Energy transfer to gas-puff Z-pinch and X-ray radiation

Gas-puff z-pinch plasmas were generated using rare gases (Ne, Ar and Kr). The intensities of XUV and X-ray radiations increased with atomic number Z of the gas. The net energy transferred to the plasma also increased with Z of the gas, which is a direct result of strong radial compression of the plasma column. Multiple ionization plays an important role in the strong compression of the high Z z-pinch plasma.