Efficient multi-keV underdense laser-produced plasma radiators

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• X-ray Generation
• Laser-Plasma Interactions

Background:

• Developing efficient high-energy X-ray sources is crucial for scientific research and industrial applications.
• Traditional methods often suffer from low energy conversion efficiencies and limited hard X-ray production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create novel, efficient X-ray sources utilizing supersonic gas jets.
• To enhance the production of hard X-rays with improved laser energy conversion efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Supersonic heating of a large volume of Xenon (Xe) gas.
• Laser-induced bleaching wave to rapidly ionize the gas and create plasma.
• Measurement of laser energy conversion into L-shell radiation (4-7 keV).

Main Results:

• Achieved approximately 10% conversion efficiency of laser energy into L-shell radiation (4-7 keV).
• This efficiency is an order of magnitude higher than that from solid disk targets.
• Reduced energy loss to kinetic energy and sub-keV X-rays, improving hard X-ray yield.

Conclusions:

• Supersonic Xe gas jets provide a highly efficient method for generating hard X-rays.
• The high flux achieved enables new possibilities for material testing and X-ray backlighting.
• This scalable approach is well-suited for future high-powered laser systems.