Measurement of the effective energy of pulsed X-rays emitted from a Mather-type plasma focus device

The current study examined the effective energy of pulsed x-rays emitted from a Mather-type plasma focus device with copper anodes at an energy range of 2–3kJ using x-ray transmission radiography. Aluminum filters of different thicknesses and dental x-ray film were used. When air gas was used at a constant voltage of 21kV at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mbar, the effective energy of pulsed the x-ray was 10.9, 10.7, 17.3 and 15.8keV, respectively. At 0.6 mbar of air, as the operating voltage increased to 19, 21 and 23kV, the effective energy of the x-ray radiation was 10.6, 10.7 and 12.4keV, respectively. Comprehensive investigation of the characteristics of x-ray emission from plasma focus devices makes it feasible to use this device as an intensive x-ray generator for medical and industrial purposes. The present study is a part of a program which is planned to realize these applications. •A radiographic method was offered to measure the effective energy of pulsed X-ray.•X-ray effective energy of a medium-size plasma focus device was measured.•Effect of gas pressure and charging voltage on the effective energy was studied.