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Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating
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Simultaneous Measurement of Local Gain and Electron Density in X-ray Lasers
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 23, 1996
Summary
Experimental X-ray lasers (XRLs) show lower gains and spatial coherence than predicted. New measurements reveal unexpected spatial inhomogeneity in local gain, explaining these discrepancies in XRL performance.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Laser science
- Atomic physics
Background:
- X-ray lasers (XRLs) exhibit experimental gains lower than theoretical calculations.
- A persistent issue with XRLs is their low level of spatial coherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind the discrepancy between calculated and experimental XRL gains.
- To understand the cause of low spatial coherence in XRLs.
- To measure local gain and density profiles within XRL plasma.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an XRL as both an injected signal for a short amplifier and an interferometer beam.
- Measured two-dimensional local gain and density profiles of XRL plasma.
- Achieved a spatial resolution of approximately 1 micrometer.
Main Results:
- Measured local gain aligns with atomic models.
- Observed unexpected spatial inhomogeneity in the local gain.
- This inhomogeneity directly correlates with the low spatial coherence.
Conclusions:
- The spatial inhomogeneity of local gain is identified as the primary cause for low XRL spatial coherence.
- This finding helps reconcile the differences between observed and simulated XRL gains.
