This report describes the optimum design of a generalized pinhole-scintillator, image converter camera model offering simultaneous energy, spatial, and time resolution of soft x-rays. This type of diagnostic system is particularly suited to analysis of x-rays from intense plasma discharge sources such as plasma focus and electromagnetic implosion devices having emitting dimensions in the mm to cm range and pulse lengths of 10 -1000 nsec. The usual diffraction limited, optimum pinhole design for spatial resolution is not used since sufficient x-ray intensities are often not available from laboratory plasmas to take advantage of optimum pinhole resolution. Instead, the condition for obtaining optimum spatial resolution for the intensity limited case for given time and energy resolution requirements are derived. The controlling requirement of film exposure is satisfied. Graphical solutions of optimum pinhole-to-scintillator distance, optimum pinhole diameter, and spatial resolution at optimum conditons are presented as a function of a dimensionless exposure parameter beta for several values of plasma-to-pinhole distance. This form of solution presentation allows rapid analysis of the effects of equipment changes and different degrees of time and energy resolution upon optimum spatial resolution. (Author).

Project 7903. Also available as ADA034405.