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Updated: May 23, 2026
06:46
Applying X-ray Imaging Crystal Spectroscopy for Use as a High Temperature Plasma Diagnostic
Published on: August 25, 2016
A spherical crystal imager for OMEGA EP.
1Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 3, 2012
Summary
A new X-ray imager uses a bent quartz crystal to capture Cu K(α) line emissions from laser-produced plasmas. This high-resolution imager achieves excellent signal-to-background ratios for fusion energy research.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- X-ray imaging
- Laser-driven fusion
Background:
- High-resolution X-ray imaging is crucial for diagnosing laser-produced plasmas.
- Diagnosing Cu K(α) line emissions provides insights into plasma conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement a narrowband X-ray imager for the Cu K(α) line (~8 keV).
- To achieve high spatial resolution and signal-to-background ratio for plasma diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a spherically bent quartz crystal (2131 planes) for X-ray diffraction.
- Employed an optical system for remote crystal alignment in a vacuum target chamber.
- Operated the imager with OMEGA EP laser system at ≥1 kJ energy and 10-ps pulse duration.
Main Results:
- Achieved a Bragg angle of 88.7°, near normal incidence.
- Demonstrated a high signal-to-background ratio typically >100:1.
- Obtained a spatial resolution of less than 10 μm.
Conclusions:
- The implemented X-ray imager is effective for diagnosing Cu K(α) emissions from laser plasmas.
- The system offers high performance in terms of resolution and signal quality.
- This diagnostic tool advances capabilities for inertial confinement fusion research.
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