Spatially resolved soft x‐ray spectra were collected for neon plasmas produced by imploding hollow annular gas puffs with MA level driving currents. TheZ‐pinch imploded plasmas were studied for different risetime currents produced with or without the use of a plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS). Selected spectrograms were processed and analyzed to obtain absolute energies for the radiation emitted in the Ne ixand Ne xdiscrete transitions, as well as for total emission over the spectral range 900–1600 eV. The neon plasmas radiate 1–2.5 kJ in this energy range predominantly in the &agr; transitions of both ions. The plasma uniformity inferred from spatially resolved spectral lines improves significantly using a faster rise‐time driving current.