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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
06:46
Applying X-ray Imaging Crystal Spectroscopy for Use as a High Temperature Plasma Diagnostic
Published on: August 25, 2016
A compact filtered x-ray diode array spectrometer for the National Ignition Facility: SENTINEL.
G E Kemp1, M J May1, L P MacNeil2
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|December 31, 2020
Summary
Sentinel, a new x-ray spectrometer for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), offers improved measurement capabilities for laser-driven sources. Its compact design enhances spectral reconstruction and is suitable for various facilities.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Nuclear Fusion Diagnostics
- X-ray Spectroscopy
Background:
- The National Ignition Facility (NIF) requires advanced diagnostics to characterize x-ray emission from laser-driven sources.
- Existing diagnostics like Dante have limitations in flexibility and spatial coverage.
- Anisotropic x-ray emission from laser sources necessitates versatile measurement capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Sentinel, a novel 16-channel x-ray diode array spectrometer.
- To detail Sentinel's design, calibration, and performance for measuring x-ray emission (∼1 keV-20 keV).
- To highlight Sentinel's compatibility with Diagnostic Instrument Manipulator (DIM) for flexible fielding.
Main Methods:
- Development of a compact, 16-channel filtered x-ray diode array spectrometer.
- Integration with Diagnostic Instrument Manipulator (DIM) for polar and equatorial line-of-sight measurements.
- Preliminary diode calibration and performance testing.
Main Results:
- Sentinel achieves a 5x-25x increased channel areal density compared to Dante.
- The design enables improved diagnostic robustness and fidelity of spectral reconstructions.
- Demonstrated capability for fielding along polar and equatorial lines-of-sight.
Conclusions:
- Sentinel provides enhanced spectral characterization of x-ray sources at NIF.
- Its compact and portable design is advantageous for facilities with limited diagnostic space.
- Sentinel represents a significant advancement in laser-driven source diagnostics.
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