Sub-MeV tunably polarized X-ray production with laser Thomson backscattering

Reported in this article is the generation of unique polarized x-rays in the sub-MeV region by means of the Thomson backscattering of the Nd:YAG laser photon with a wavelength of 1064 nm on the 150 MeV electron from the microtron accelerator. The maximum energy of the x-ray photons is estimated to be about 400 keV. The total energy of the backscattered x-ray pulse is measured with an imaging plate and a LYSO scintillator. The angular divergence of the x-rays is also measured by using the imaging plate. We confirm that the x-ray beam is polarized according to the laser polarization direction with the Compton scattering method. In addition, we demonstrate the imaging of the object shielded by lead with the generated x-rays.     

A photodiode amplifier system for pulse-by-pulse intensity measurement of an x-ray free electron laser

We have developed a single-shot intensity-measurement system using a silicon positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) photodiode for x-ray pulses from an x-ray free electron laser. A wide dynamic range (10(3)-10(11) photons/pulse) and long distance signal transmission (>100 m) were required for this measurement system. For this purpose, we developed charge-sensitive and shaping amplifiers, which can process charge pulses with a wide dynamic range and variable durations (ns-μs) and charge levels (pC-μC). Output signals from the amplifiers were transmitted to a data acquisition system through a long cable in the form of a differential signal. The x-ray pulse intensities were calculated from the peak values of the signals by a waveform fitting procedure. This system can measure 10(3)-10(9) photons/pulse of ~10 keV x-rays by direct irradiation of a silicon PIN photodiode, and from 10(7)-10(11) photons/pulse by detecting the x-rays scattered by a diamond film using the silicon PIN photodiode. This system gives a relative accuracy of ~10(-3) with a proper gain setting of the amplifiers for each measurement. Using this system, we succeeded in detecting weak light at the developmental phase of the light source, as well as intense light during lasing of the x-ray free electron laser.     

A spherical crystal imager for OMEGA EP

A narrowband x ray imager for the Cu K(α) line at ~8 keV using a spherically bent quartz crystal has been implemented on the OMEGA EP laser at the University of Rochester. The quartz crystal is cut along the 2131 (211) planes for a 2d spacing of 0.3082 nm, resulting in a Bragg angle of 88.7°, very close to normal incidence. An optical system is used to remotely align the spherical crystal without breaking the vacuum of the target chamber. The images show a high signal-to-background ratio of typically >100:1 with laser energies ≥1 kJ at a 10-ps pulse duration and a spatial resolution of less than 10 μm.     

A novel zirconium Kα imager for high energy density physics research

We report on the development and characterization of a zirconium Kα imager for high energy density physics research. The imager consists of a spherically bent quartz crystal operating at 15.7 keV photon energy. We compare the performance of the imager in terms of integrated reflectivity (R(int)) and temperature dependent collection efficiency (η(Te)) to that of the widely used Cu Kα imager. Our collisional-radiative simulations show that the new imager can be reliably used up to 250 eV plasma temperature. Monte Carlo simulations show that for a 25 μm thick tracer layer of zirconium, the contribution to Kα production from photo-pumping is only 2%. We present, for the first time, 2D spatially resolved images of zirconium plasmas generated by a high intensity short pulse laser interacting with Zr solid targets.     

Quantitative measurement of hard x-ray spectra for high intensity laser produced plasma

X-ray line spectra ranging from 17 to 77 keV were quantitatively measured with a Laue spectrometer, composed of a cylindrically curved crystal and a detector. Either a visible CCD detector coupled with a CsI phosphor screen or an imaging plate can be chosen, depending on the signal intensities and exposure times. The absolute sensitivity of the spectrometer system was calibrated using pre-characterized laser-produced x-ray sources and radioisotopes. The integrated reflectivity for the crystal is in good agreement with predictions by an open code for x-ray diffraction. The energy transfer efficiency from incident laser beams to hot electrons, as the energy transfer agency for specific x-ray line emissions, is derived as a consequence of this work.     

Monochromatic x-ray radiography for areal-density measurement of inertial fusion energy fuel in fast ignition experiment

Ultrafast, two-dimensional x-ray imaging is an important diagnostics for the inertial fusion energy research, especially in investigating implosion dynamics at the final stage of the fuel compression. Although x-ray radiography was applied to observing the implosion dynamics, intense x-rays emitted from the high temperature and dense fuel core itself are often superimposed on the radiograph. This problem can be solved by coupling the x-ray radiography with monochromatic x-ray imaging technique. In the experiment, 2.8 or 5.2 keV backlight x-rays emitted from laser-irradiated polyvinyl chloride or vanadium foils were selectively imaged by spherically bent quartz crystals with discriminating the out-of-band emission from the fuel core. This x-ray radiography system achieved 24?μm and 100 ps of spatial and temporal resolutions, respectively.     

激光等离子体X射线能谱诊断

为了诊断激光装置聚爆靶辐射等离子体内部的分布及运动过程,搭建了基于球面弯曲晶体的能谱成像系统。该系统的核心元件为弯曲半径为200mm的石英球面弯曲晶体(1011),利用晶体的晶格结构进行反射,利用弯曲表面实现聚焦。在中国工程物理研究院神光Ⅲ原型激光装置上利用该能谱成像系统首次进行X射线能谱成像实验。IP成像板得到了清晰的高Z元素Au等离子体X射线能谱。能谱信息分析显示,石英球面弯曲晶体得到的能谱分辨率约为1 380,与能谱分辨模型理论值的误差为3.9%。该结果表明石英球面弯曲晶体具有很好能谱分辨能力。     

氟化锂椭圆弯晶分析器的特性及应用

设计了测试能量范围为0.6~6 keV的椭圆弯晶谱仪。此谱仪利用椭圆自聚焦原理,晶体分析器采用氟化锂材料,椭圆焦距为1 350 mm,离心率为0.958 6,布拉格角范围为30~65°。在神光Ⅱ靶室进行了实验,入射激光波长为0.35 μm,激光功率约为1.6×10¹⁴ W/cm²,与厚度为100 μm的钛平面靶法线夹角约为45°。实验结果证实,弯曲的氟化锂晶体具有极佳探测效果,弯晶分析器对波长为0.2~0.35 nm的X射线的分辨率可达500~1 000,同时具有等光程而便于空间分辨测量的优点,在同样距离条件下比平晶分析器高一个数量级的收光效率,故适合于激光等离子体X射线的光谱学研究。     

Large area mass analyzer instrument for the chemical analysis of interstellar dust particles

A new instrument to analyze the chemical composition of dust particles in situ in space has been developed. The large target area ( approximately 0.2 m(2)) makes this instrument well suited for detecting a statistically significant number of interstellar dust grains or other dust particles with a low flux. The device is a reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer that uses only flat electrodes for the generation of the parabolic potential. The instrument analyzes the ions from the impact generated plasma due to hypervelocity dust impacts onto a solid target surface. The SIMION ion optics software package is used to investigate different potential field configurations and optimize the mass resolution and focusing of the ions. The cylindrically symmetric instrument operates with six ring electrodes and six annular electrodes biased to different potentials to create the potential distribution of the reflectron. The laboratory model of the instrument has been fabricated and tested. Hypervelocity dust impacts are simulated by laser ablation using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser with approximately 8 ns pulse length. The experimental data show typical mass resolution m/Deltam approximately 200.     

A device based on a bent crystal with a variable curvature for controlling particle beams at accelerators

It has been recently proposed using a bent crystal with a declining curvature instead of a uniformly bent crystal in order to improve extraction and collimation of the circulating beam in the accelerator. Variable curvature crystal devices developed to implement this idea are described. Curvature values measured along the crystal plate are presented. It is shown that focusing of high energy beams can also be focused using the developed devices.     

Hard x-ray transmission crystal spectrometer at the OMEGA-EP laser facility

The transmission crystal spectrometer (TCS) is approved for taking data at the OMEGA-EP laser facility since 2009 and will be available for the OMEGA target chamber in 2010. TCS utilizes a Cauchois type cylindrically bent transmission crystal geometry with a source to crystal distance of 600 mm. Spectral images are recorded by image plates in four positions, one IP on the Rowland circle and three others at 200, 400, and 600 mm beyond the Rowland circle. An earlier version of TCS was used at LULI on experiments that determined the x-ray source size from spectral line broadening on one IP positioned behind the Rowland circle. TCS has recorded numerous backlighter spectra at EP for point projection radiography and for source size measurements. Hard x-ray source size can be determined from the source broadening of both K shell emission lines and from K absorption edges in the bremsstrahlung continuum, the latter being a new way to measure the spatial extent of the hard x-ray bremsstrahlung continuum.     

用热解石墨晶体作色散和聚焦光学元件的激光等离子体源的超快X射线光谱仪

由于激光等离子X射线源的光子通量显著低于同步辐射源的光子通量且射线为所有方向的各向同性辐射,所以,很需要具有大的集光立体角和高的积分反射率的光学元件,用热解石墨(PG)晶体作色散和聚焦元件可满足上述要求。由于PG晶体为嵌镶结构,所以可给出很高的积分反射率,而PG薄膜还可安装在任意形状的模具上构成任意形状的光学元件。此外,特殊形状的嵌镶聚焦使这些晶体甚至在弯曲的情况下,也可作为高分辨率X射线光学元件。基于上述元件特性,可以设计出有高集光效率的色散光学元件,用于激光等离子体源超快X射线光谱检测。文中描述了PG弯晶在一台改型的von HAMOS光谱仪中的应用,使用这台光谱仪,测量了飞秒激光器产生等离子体发射的X射线的光谱分布。讨论了产生的X射线在时间分辨扩展X射线吸收精细结构(EXAFS)分析中的应用。实验表明,通过优化晶体特性和光谱仪几何设置,可以实现对过渡金属K边的高分辨率EXAFS测量。     

用于测量激光等离子体X射线的椭圆弯晶谱仪

研制了一种椭圆弯晶谱仪用于测量0.44～0.81 nm激光等离子体X射线光谱.该谱仪采用X射线CCD作探测器,用PET(2d＝0.874 nm)晶体作色散和聚焦元件,将晶体弯曲并粘贴在离心率和焦距分别为0.9586和1350 mm的椭圆形不锈钢基底上.对该谱仪在"星光Ⅱ"激光装置上进行了打靶实验,实验结果表明其光谱分辨率接近1000.     

An upgraded x-ray spectroscopy diagnostic on MST

An upgraded x-ray spectroscopy diagnostic is used to measure the distribution of fast electrons in MST and to determine Z(eff) and the particle diffusion coefficient D(r). A radial array of 12 CdZnTe hard-x-ray detectors measures 10-150 keV Bremsstrahlung from fast electrons, a signature of reduced stochasticity and improved confinement in the plasma. A new Si soft-x-ray detector measures 2-10 keV Bremsstrahlung from thermal and fast electrons. The shaped output pulses from both detector types are digitized and the resulting waveforms are fit with Gaussians to resolve pileup and provide good time and energy resolution. Lead apertures prevent detector saturation and provide a well-known etendue, while lead shielding prevents pickup from stray x-rays. New Be vacuum windows transmit >2?keV x-rays, and additional Al and Be filters are sometimes used to reduce low energy flux for better resolution at higher energies. Measured spectra are compared to those predicted by the Fokker-Planck code CQL3D to deduce Z(eff) and D(r).     

High-energy x-ray microbeam with total-reflection mirror optics

Total-reflection mirror optics for high-energy x-ray microfocusing have been developed, and tested in the energy range of 30-100 keV at beamline 20XU of Synchrotron Radiation Facility SPring-8. The optical system consists of a Kirkpatrick-Baez-type [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 38, 766 (1548)] focusing optics with aspherical total-reflection mirrors for the purpose of reducing the spherical aberrations. A focused beam size of 0.35 x 0.4 microm(2) has been achieved at an x-ray energy of 80 keV, and the measured spot size was less than 1 microm in the x-ray energy region below 90 keV.     

弯晶X射线光学

近年来,人们付出很大精力研制新的具有独特性能的同步辐射装置和自由电子激光器,而飞秒激光等离子源可提供具有高峰值亮度的超短X射线脉冲,用来作为波荡器辐射的补充X射线源。此外,所有最新型的X射线源的诊断和应用也都需要专用X射线光学元件或仪器。X射线光谱测量是激光聚变应用中最重要的等离子诊断方法之一,该方法根据实验目的,可获得单色X射线图像或与空间或时间分辨相组合的高分辨率图像。已经研制出拥有多达10个环状弯晶的高精单色成像仪,用以研究激光聚变实验中的内爆过程并通过获得的数据对等离子体参数的时间分辨图做出评估。大功率飞秒激光器可提供实用的相对价格不高的大功率X射线脉冲源,但需要有发光效率,能量分布,以及热电子传输方面的信息来实现理想K层辐射线或者连续X射线输出的最大化,以便得到相当于同步辐射输出的峰值亮度。把这些新的射线源与弯晶光学元件相组合,可完成亚皮秒时间量级的衍射实验。激光泵浦的X射线探针实验已经展示了若干晶体在250 fs内的结构变化。作者所在研究所使用光线追踪和布拉格反射方法设计了1D或2D或1D与2D结合的弯晶X射线光学仪器。在仪器制备过程中,非常注重晶体完整,反射选择的优化,弯曲精确,以及成像和反射特性的测量,还使用X射线形貌相机和衍射仪对分析器晶体的相关特性做了测试。     

Single-frequency coherent terahertz-wave generation using two Cr:forsterite lasers pumped using one Nd:YAG laser

We have developed a compact terahertz-wave generator using two small Cr:forsterite lasers with single Nd:YAG laser pumping based on difference frequency generation in a GaP crystal. A Cr:forsterite laser was constructed with diffraction gratings, by which the pulse duration and delay time of the Cr:forsterite laser depend on the Cr:forsterite laser energy and the cavity length. The Cr:forsterite laser energy was tuned using the optical alignment and pumping energy. Temporal overlap of two Cr:forsterite laser pulses was realized at the GaP crystal. A single-frequency terahertz wave was generated at energy of 4.7 pJ around 2.95 THz using a 30-cm-long Cr:forsterite laser system.     

Application of a transmission crystal x-ray spectrometer to moderate-intensity laser driven sources

In the pursuit of novel, laser-produced x-ray sources for medical imaging applications, appropriate instrumental diagnostics need to be developed concurrently. A type of transmission crystal spectroscopy has previously been demonstrated as a survey tool for sources produced by high-power and high-energy lasers. The present work demonstrates the extension of this method into the study of medium-intensity laser driven hard x-ray sources with a design that preserves resolving power while maintaining high sensitivity. Specifically, spectroscopic measurements of characteristic Kα and Kβ emissions were studied from Mo targets irradiated by a 100 fs, 200 mJ, Ti: sapphire laser with intensity of 10(17) W/cm(2) to 10(18) W∕cm(2) per shot. Using a transmission curved crystal spectrometer and off-Rowland circle imaging, resolving powers (E/ΔE) of around 300 for Mo Kα(2) at 17.37 keV were obtained with an end-to-end spectrometer efficiency of (1.13 ± 0.10) × 10(-5). This sensitivity is sufficient for registering x-ray lines with high signal to background from targets following irradiation by a single laser pulse, demonstrating the utility of this method in the study of the development of medium-intensity laser driven x-ray sources.     

Improvements of data quality of the LHD Thomson scattering diagnostics in high-temperature plasma experiments

In Large Helical Device (LHD) experiments, an electron temperature (T(e)) more than 15 keV has been observed by the yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser Thomson scattering diagnostic. Since the LHD Thomson scattering system has been optimized for the temperature region, 50?eV≤T(e)≤10?keV, the data quality becomes worse in the higher T(e) region exceeding 10 keV. In order to accurately determine T(e) in the LHD high-T(e) experiments, we tried to increase the laser pulse energy by simultaneously firing three lasers. The technique enables us to decrease the uncertainties in the measured T(e). Another signal accumulation method was also tested. In addition, we estimated the influence of high-energy electrons on T(e) obtained by the LHD Thomson scattering system.     

Phase-contrast imaging using ultrafast x-rays in laser-shocked materials

High-energy x-rays, >10?keV, can be efficiently produced from ultrafast laser target interactions with many applications to dense target materials in inertial confinement fusion and high-energy density physics. These same x-rays can also be applied to measurements of low-density materials inside high-density Hohlraum environments. In the experiments presented, high-energy x-ray images of laser-shocked polystyrene are produced through phase contrast imaging. The plastic targets are nominally transparent to traditional x-ray absorption but show detailed features in regions of high density gradients due to refractive effects often called phase contrast imaging. The 200 TW Trident laser is used both to produce the x-ray source and to shock the polystyrene target. X-rays at 17 keV produced from 2 ps, 100 J laser interactions with a 12?μm molybdenum wire are used to produce a small source size, required for optimizing refractive effects. Shocks are driven in the 1 mm thick polystyrene target using 2 ns, 250 J, 532 nm laser drive with phase plates. X-ray images of shocks compare well to one-dimensional hydro calculations.