The
experimental package consists of a cm-scale
neon-filled cell with mylar windows,
mounted several cm from the Z-machine’s
current return can, inside of which
is the pinch itself.
Ultimately,
we plan on making simultaneous,
time-resolved absorption and
emission spectroscopic measurements
of the gas cell, which can be
filled with a variety of gases, including
mixtures. The absorption spectroscopy
uses the pinch itself as a backlighter.
Experiments
already completed have used
30 Torr neon (nion ~ 1018 cm-3) observed
in absorption with a time-integrated
spectrometer.
