Radiographic method for measuring the continuum hard X-ray output spectrum of a Plasma Focus device

A radiographic method is proposed and then applied to infer the continuum part of the hard X-ray spectrum of a 4.7 kJ Plasma Focus from differential absorption measurements on metals. Copper, nickel, titanium and silver samples with thicknesses spanning between 0.1 and 10 mm were employed as filters. The X-ray radiation was detected using a standard radiographic screen-film system. The results show the presence of a dominant peak around 75 keV with significant spectral components in the range of 40 to 200 keV. The method is easy to follow, inexpensive, and allows for calibrated, single shot, spectral measurements. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.