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Automated Delivery of Microfabricated Targets for Intense Laser Irradiation Experiments
Published on: January 28, 2021
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Microstructured layered targets for improved laser-induced x-ray backlighters.
S Sander1, T Ebert1, D Hartnagel1
1Institut für Kernphysik, Fachbereich Physik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
Physical Review. E
|January 15, 2022
Summary
Novel microstructured targets enhance X-ray backlighter applications. These targets provide bright copper Kα emission while reducing unwanted thermal background, ideal for sensitive material probing.
Area of Science:
- Laser-driven X-ray science
- Materials science for high-energy density physics
Background:
- X-ray backlighters are crucial for probing dense plasmas.
- Traditional targets suffer from thermal emission, complicating analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate two-layer microstructured targets for X-ray backlighting.
- To assess the impact of microstructures on X-ray emission characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of silicon-copper targets with the PHELIX laser (>10^20 W/cm^2).
- Characterization of copper Kα emission using crystal spectrometers.
- Analysis of spectral range (7.9-9.0 keV) and source size.
Main Results:
- Microstructured targets match peak Kα brightness of flat foils.
- Significant suppression of thermal emission background observed.
- Kα source size is controllable by microstructure orientation.
Conclusions:
- Microstructured targets offer superior performance for X-ray backlighting.
- Reduced thermal load enables precise probing of materials.
- These targets are suitable for applications requiring minimal heating.
