Development of a compact fast CCD camera and resonant soft x-ray scattering endstation for time-resolved pump-probe experiments

The designs of a compact, fast CCD (cFCCD) camera, together with a resonant soft x-ray scattering endstation, are presented. The cFCCD camera consists of a highly parallel, custom, thick, high-resistivity CCD, readout by a custom 16-channel application specific integrated circuit to reach the maximum readout rate of 200 frames per second. The camera is mounted on a virtual-axis flip stage inside the RSXS chamber. When this flip stage is coupled to a differentially pumped rotary seal, the detector assembly can rotate about 100°/360° in the vertical/horizontal scattering planes. With a six-degrees-of-freedom cryogenic sample goniometer, this endstation has the capability to detect the superlattice reflections from the electronic orderings showing up in the lower hemisphere. The complete system has been tested at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and has been used in multiple experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.     

Efficient Kalpha x-ray source from submillijoule femtosecond laser pulses operated at kilohertz repetition rate

We report an efficient Cu K(alpha) x-ray source produced by focusing submillijoule, 120 fs Ti:sapphire laser pulses on a solid copper target to a spot diameter of few microns. The experimental results show strong emission of K(alpha) x-rays from solid targets from microplasmas created by p-polarized 0.2-0.3 mJ laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. We have demonstrated K(alpha) x-ray point source emission rates of 6.7 x 10(9) photonss into 2 pi sr at 1 kHz repetition rate. The source has an x-ray conversion efficiency into Cu K(alpha) line emission of 3.2 x 10(-5). The source has a measured size of approximately 8 microm. Such a high repetition rate K(alpha) x-ray source can be very useful for time resolved x-ray diffraction and radiographic applications.     

Noise analysis and noise reduction methods in kilohertz pump-probe experiments

We analyze sources of noise in kilohertz frequency pump/probe experiments and present a method for reducing experimental noise by identifying and filtering noisy shots. The power spectrum of instrumental noise shows high frequency, small amplitude modulations which cannot be averaged out. A histogram analysis shows that low frequency, large amplitude signals pose a serious obstacle to signal averaging for improved signal to noise. In kilohertz frequency pump/probe experiments, this low frequency noise typically arises from laser scatter due to bubbles, dust, and defects. We quantify the effectiveness in analyzing and rejecting these large amplitude signals which can produce a hindrance to the effectiveness of signal averaging.     

Focusing x-ray spectrograph for laser fusion experiments

X-ray spectra from laser fusion targets are normally measured with flat crystal (nonfocusing) spectrographs. We describe here the characteristics of a focusing spectrograph which is capable of recording wide band spectra with significantly higher sensitivity. Measuring spectra in the (10-11) A range from glass microballoons imploded by a two-beam Nd:Glass laser system we find intensity per unit area on film about 100 times higher with a curved mica than with a flat mica spectrograph.     

Reflection of attosecond x-ray free electron laser pulses

In order to utilize hard x-ray free electron lasers (XFEL's) when they are extended to attosecond pulse lengths, it is necessary to choose optical elements with minimal response time. Specular grazing-incidence optics made of low-Z materials are popular candidates for reflectors since they are likely to withstand x-ray damage and provide sufficiently large reflectivities. Using linear-optics reflection theory, we calculated the transient reflectivity of a delta-function electric pulse from a homogenous semi-infinite medium as a function of angle of incidence for s- and p-polarized light. We specifically considered the pulse response of beryllium, diamond, silicon carbide, and silicon, all of which are of relevance to the XFEL's that are currently being built. We found that the media emit energy in a damped oscillatory way, and that the impulse-response times are shorter than 0.3 fs for normal incidence. For grazing incidence, the impulse-response time is substantially shorter, making grazing-incidence mirrors a good choice for deep subfemtosecond reflective optics.     

Synchronized flash photolysis and pulse deposition in matrix isolation experiments

An apparatus is described which permits flash photolysis of a pulse-deposited gas mixture in a matrix isolation experiment. This technique obviates the limitations of in situ photolysis imposed by the cage effect and by secondary photolysis. The matrix is deposited in pulses at 30-s intervals and photolyzed sequentially by four synchronized flashlamps approximately 1 ms before the pulse strikes the cold surface. Pulsed deposition maintains adequate isolation and causes line narrowing, which enhances spectral sensitivity. The efficacy of flash photolysis combined with pulsed deposition for producing and trapping transient species was demonstrated by infrared detection of CF(3) (from photolysis of CF(3)I/Ar mixtures) and of ClCO (from photolysis of Cl(2)/CO/Ar mixtures). The apparatus was used to study the photolytic decomposition of gaseous tricarbonylironcyclobutadiene, C(4)H(4)Fe(CO)(3). The results indicate that the primary photolytic step is not elimination of C(4)H(4), as suggested earlier, but rather of CO.     

Design and measurement of a Cu L-edge x-ray filter for free electron laser pumped x-ray laser experiments

An inner-shell photoionized x-ray laser pumped by the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) free electron laser has been proposed recently. The measurement of the on-axis 849 eV Ne?Kα laser and protection of the x-ray spectrometer from damage require attenuation of the 1 keV LCLS beam. An Al/Cu foil combination is well suited, serving as a low energy bandpass filter below the Cu L-edge at 933 eV. A high resolution grating spectrometer is used to measure the transmission of a candidate filter with an intense laser-produced x-ray backlighter developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Jupiter Laser Facility Janus. The methodology and discussion of the observed fine structure above the Cu L-edge will be presented.     

A source of short X-ray pulses

A small-sized source of short X-ray pulses is described, whose basic components are a three-electrode X-ray tube operating at 30 kV and 0.5 A and a fast GaAs modulator connected coaxially to the tube grid. The limiting operating parameters of the source are a subnanosecond pulse duration and a pulse repetition rate as high as 100 kHz.     

Software defined photon counting system for time resolved x-ray experiments

The time structure of synchrotron radiation allows time resolved experiments with sub-100 ps temporal resolution using a pump-probe approach. However, the relaxation time of the samples may require a lower repetition rate of the pump pulse compared to the full repetition rate of the x-ray pulses from the synchrotron. The use of only the x-ray pulse immediately following the pump pulse is not efficient and often requires special operation modes where only a few buckets of the storage ring are filled. We designed a novel software defined photon counting system that allows to implement a variety of pump-probe schemes at the full repetition rate. The high number of photon counters allows to detect the response of the sample at multiple time delays simultaneously, thus improving the efficiency of the experiment. The system has been successfully applied to time resolved scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. However, this technique is applicable more generally.     

A miniature metal-ceramic x-ray source for spacecraft instrumentation.

Definitive mineralogical identification of materials with x-ray diffraction and fluorescence on remote planetary probes requires the development of a rugged miniature x-ray source that complies with the mass, power, thermal, and electrical management constraints imposed by space missions. Conventional x-ray tubes are generally fragile, glass-envelope designs with heat-sensitive seals. They are too brittle and bulky for planetary missions, and usually require cumbersome and power-consuming cooling systems. Here we describe the development of a novel, rugged miniature x-ray source employing a ceramic BeO substrate upon which a metal target material is deposited. Conventional thermionic emission and high-voltage acceleration of electrons to strike the metal target material produce an x-ray yield comparable to conventional x-ray tubes. Thermal management of the x-ray source is achieved with the excellent heat transport properties of the BeO target substrate coupled with a passive heatpipe.     

A 24 keV liquid-metal-jet x-ray source for biomedical applications

We present a high-brightness 24-keV electron-impact microfocus x-ray source based on continuous operation of a heated liquid-indium/gallium-jet anode. The 30-70 W electron beam is magnetically focused onto the jet, producing a circular 7-13 μm full width half maximum x-ray spot. The measured spectral brightness at the 24.2 keV In K(α) line is 3 × 10(9) photons∕(s × mm(2) × mrad(2) × 0.1% BW) at 30 W electron-beam power. The high photon energy compared to existing liquid-metal-jet sources increases the penetration depth and allows imaging of thicker samples. The applicability of the source in the biomedical field is demonstrated by high-resolution imaging of a mammography phantom and a phase-contrast angiography phantom.     

The soft x-ray instrument for materials studies at the linac coherent light source x-ray free-electron laser

The soft x-ray materials science instrument is the second operational beamline at the linac coherent light source x-ray free electron laser. The instrument operates with a photon energy range of 480-2000 eV and features a grating monochromator as well as bendable refocusing mirrors. A broad range of experimental stations may be installed to study diverse scientific topics such as: ultrafast chemistry, surface science, highly correlated electron systems, matter under extreme conditions, and laboratory astrophysics. Preliminary commissioning results are presented including the first soft x-ray single-shot energy spectrum from a free electron laser.     

Development of a time-resolved soft x-ray spectrometer for laser produced plasma experiments

A 2400 lines/mm variable-spaced grating spectrometer has been used to measure soft x-ray emission (8-22 A?) from laser-produced plasma experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Compact Multipulse Terrawatt (COMET) Laser Facility. The spectrometer was coupled to a Kentech x-ray streak camera to study the temporal evolution of soft x rays emitted from the back of the Mylar and the copper foils irradiated at 10(15)?W/cm(2). The instrument demonstrated a resolving power of ～120 at 19 A? with a time resolution of 31 ps. The time-resolved copper emission spectrum was consistent with a photodiode monitoring the laser temporal pulse shape and indicated that the soft x-ray emission follows the laser heating of the target. The time and spectral resolutions of this diagnostic make it useful for studies of high temperature plasmas.     

High repetition rate laser produced soft x-ray source for ultrafast x-ray absorption near edge structure measurements

Recent progress in high intensity ultrafast laser systems provides the opportunity to produce laser plasma x-ray sources exhibiting broad spectrum and high average x-ray flux that are well adapted to x-ray absorption measurements. In this paper, the development of a laser based x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) beamline exhibiting high repetition rate by using the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) facility 100 Hz laser system (100 mJ, 35 fs at 800 nm) is presented. This system is based on a broadband tantalum solid target soft x-ray source and a grazing incidence grating spectrometer in the 1-5 nm wavelength range. To demonstrate the high potential of this laser based XANES technique in condensed matter physics, material science, or biology, measurements realized with several samples are presented: VO2 vanadium L edge, Si3N4 nitrogen K edge, and BPDA/PPD polyimide carbon K edge. The characteristics of this laser based beamline are discussed in terms of brightness, signal to noise ratio, and compared to conventional synchrotron broadband x-ray sources which allow achieving similar measurements. Apart from the very compact size and the relative low cost, the main advantages of such a laser based soft x-ray source are the picosecond pulse duration and the perfect synchronization between this x-ray probe and a laser pulse excitation which open the way to the realization of time resolved x-ray absorption measurements with picosecond range time resolution to study the dynamics of ultrafast processes and phase transition.     

EWB在虚拟电路实验教学中的应用

介绍EDA软件EWB的功能特点,探讨将其用于电路实验中的可行性和优越性。     

A four-channel source of high-power pulses of ultrawideband radiation

A source of nanosecond ultrawideband radiation is described. Four output bipolar pulses from the source can be synchronized with an rms deviation of less than 100 ps in the time of the voltage passage through zero or delayed by the moment of this passage in some pulse formers relative to other ones by a time of up to 300 ps using the pressure control in two-electrode discharge switches. At a 3-ns bipolar-pulse length, the obtained values of the effective potential of radiation at a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz were 400 kV. The possibility of the wave-beam steering within limits of 12° was demonstrated.     

A high-performance source of high-power nanosecond ultrawideband radiation pulses

A source of high-power nanosecond ultrawideband electromagnetic pulses is described. The 3-ns-long bipolar voltage pulse with a 90-kV amplitude is applied to the input of four-element antenna array. The effective radiation potential values E _p R = 560 kV were obtained at a 100-Hz pulse repetition rate.     

A field-emission source of charges based on nanotubes for low-temperature experiments

Methods for the production of field-emission sources of charges on the basis of carbon nanotubes are described. These sources can be used to study the properties of injected charges in cryogenic liquids and crystals (the area of the source surface is about several square millimeters, the dissipated power is <10^?6 W). The first and second batches of sources were produced by means of the deposition of nanotubes from an arc discharge on a flat copper substrate and via mechanical rubbing of nanotubes into a porous metal, respectively. Tests of sources from the first batch in a diode with a gap of 0.5 mm showed that in superfluid He-II, the current of negative charges at a level of 10^?12 A arises when the voltage at the cathode is U = ?140 V and increases to 10^?9 A, when U rises to 170 V. When the voltage polarity changes, the current of positive charges arises in the diode for the voltage U ≥ 240 V. A source from the first batch was used to observe the movement of negative and positive charges in solid-helium samples at T < 75 mK. For second-batch sources, the current of negative charges at a level of 10^?12 A in superfluid He-II arises at U = ?260 V.     

Normalization schemes for ultrafast x-ray diffraction using a table-top laser-driven plasma source

We present an experimental setup of a laser-driven x-ray plasma source for femtosecond x-ray diffraction. Different normalization schemes accounting for x-ray source intensity fluctuations are discussed in detail. We apply these schemes to measure the temporal evolution of Bragg peak intensities of perovskite superlattices after ultrafast laser excitation.     

A wide-aperture x-ray source with high intensity and uniformity of radiation

The results of experimental research on an x-ray source intended for preionizing the laser mixture in wide-aperture electric-discharge excimer lasers are presented. An experimental prototype of the source in which an x-ray radiation pulse is formed in an inverted-type vacuum diode during braking of accelerated electrons in a tantalum foil has been developed. It is shown that the use of a metal-dielectric cathode allows generation of x rays with nonuniformity of the intensity distribution within limits of 10% at an energy of quanta no higher than 55 keV and a radiation exposure dose 160 mR.