Production of wavelength-selective, time-resolved, x-ray images of a neon plasma in the SPEED 2 plasma focus

The dynamics of pinching of a neon plasma in the SPEED 2 facility has been investigated by recording wavelength-selective, x-ray images of the plasma with good space and time resolution. A series of images of the plasma focus was obtained on the λ=1.21 nm and λ=1.35 nm emission lines of hydrogen-and helium-like ions at various stages of plasma compression. The stable nature of the discharge in a neon plasma was confirmed. It was established that at the final stage of pinching, the charge of the neon ions increases rapidly from +9 to +10, and when the pinch diameter is less than 1 mm, the plasma is completely ionized.