High-resolution K-shell spectra from laser excited molybdenum plasmas

C.I Szabo,J.F Seely,L.T Hudson,P Indelicato,T Ma,P Mora,K A Tanaka,E Moses

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20135913007

Abstract

X-ray spectra from Molybdenum plasmas were recorded by a Cauchois-type cylindrically bent Transmission Crystal Spectrometer (TCS). The absolutely calibrated spectrometer provides an unprecedented resolution of inner shell transitions (K x-ray radiation). This tool allows us to resolve individual lines from different charge states existing inside the laser-produced plasma. The inner shell transitions from highly charged Molybdenum shown in this report have never been resolved before in such detail in a laser-produced plasma.

Highlights

The exploration of atomic processes by observing inner shell transitions is a powerful tool in determining plasma properties e.g. charge-state distributions, electron and ion temperatures, densities and opacities
The observation of atomic line spectra at high-resolution originating from high-energydensity plasmas gives unique insight into the validity of atomic physics codes under these extreme conditions and can provide a way to observe transitions in highly charged ions that are difficult if not impossible to observe in the laboratory in other ways
With recent increases in energy density achieved with laser irradiation of solids, the energy of the x-ray sources backlighting in point projection radiography or used for Thomson scattering has shifted to higher x-ray energies, permitting the study of the emitted x rays of laser-excited mid-Z elements [1]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The exploration of atomic processes by observing inner shell transitions is a powerful tool in determining plasma properties e.g. charge-state distributions, electron and ion temperatures, densities and opacities. The observation of atomic line spectra at high-resolution originating from high-energydensity plasmas gives unique insight into the validity of atomic physics codes under these extreme conditions and can provide a way to observe transitions in highly charged ions that are difficult if not impossible to observe in the laboratory in other ways. In many high-energy laser experiments an x-ray source (usually point like) is used offset from the main target, to excite or backlight processes in the primary high-density plasma. To create this x-ray source, some high-energy laser beams are focused on a solid foil target. With recent increases in energy density achieved with laser irradiation of solids, the energy of the x-ray sources backlighting in point projection radiography or used for Thomson scattering has shifted to higher x-ray energies, permitting the study of the emitted x rays of laser-excited mid-Z elements [1]

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

SPECTRA IN HIGH RESOLUTION