Single line-of-sight dual energy backlighter for mix width experiments

We present a diagnostic technique used to spatially multiplex two x-ray radiographs of an object onto a detector along a single line-of-sight. This technique uses a thin, <2 μm, cosputtered backlighter target to simultaneously produce both Ni and Zn Heα emission. A Ni picket fence filter, 500 μm wide bars and troughs, is then placed in front of the detector to pass only the Ni Heα emission in the bar region and both energies in the trough region thereby spatially multiplexing the two radiographs on a single image. Initial experimental results testing the backlighter spectrum are presented along with simulated images showing the calculated radiographic images though the nickel picket fence filter which are used to measure the mix width in an accelerated nickel foam.