Generation Of X-ray Radiation Research Articles

Characterization of Pseudospark Discharge-Based Multigap Plasma Cathode Electron Source for the Generation of Short Pulsed Energetic Electron Beam

Pseudospark (PS) discharge-based devices are known as excellent source for the generation of high current density and energetic self-focused electron beam in the hollow cathode (HC) phase. In this article, short pulsed ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\!\!\!&lt; 100$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ns) and high energetic (~20 keV) electron beam has been generated and propagated (up to ~60 mm) in the drift region without using any external guiding magnetic field from the four-gap configuration of PS discharge-based plasma cathode electron (PD-PCE) source. The particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation code OOPIC Pro has been employed, whose results have shown the strong dependence of beam propagation into the drift region on the penetration and distribution of potential lines. The combined experimental and simulation investigations have also been carried for the multigap (four-gap) with wide range of external storage capacitor (40 pF–18 nF) and operating voltages (5–35 kV). The circuit parameter controls the appearance of HC phase for the energetic (50%–70% applied voltage) electron beam and conductive phase for the high current (~10 A to ~0.5 kA) electron beam. The potential distribution has clearly indicated that the electron beam with higher applied voltages can propagate more focused in the drift region. The investigations have evidently shown the generation of low energy and high current to high energy and low current electron beams suitable to cover the potential applications in the field of extreme ultraviolet (EUV)/soft X-ray radiation generation, surface modification, and microwave-terahertz radiation generation.

Transverse oscillating bubble enhanced laser-driven betatron X-ray radiation generation

Ultrafast high-brightness X-ray pulses have proven invaluable for a broad range of research. Such pulses are typically generated via synchrotron emission from relativistic electron bunches using large-scale facilities. Recently, significantly more compact X-ray sources based on laser-wakefield accelerated (LWFA) electron beams have been demonstrated. In particular, laser-driven sources, where the radiation is generated by transverse oscillations of electrons within the plasma accelerator structure (so-called betatron oscillations) can generate highly-brilliant ultrashort X-ray pulses using a comparably simple setup. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a method to markedly enhance the parameters of LWFA-driven betatron X-ray emission in a proof-of-principle experiment. We show a significant increase in the number of generated photons by specifically manipulating the amplitude of the betatron oscillations by using our novel Transverse Oscillating Bubble Enhanced Betatron Radiation scheme. We realize this through an orchestrated evolution of the temporal laser pulse shape and the accelerating plasma structure. This leads to controlled off-axis injection of electrons that perform large-amplitude collective transverse betatron oscillations, resulting in increased radiation emission. Our concept holds the promise for a method to optimize the X-ray parameters for specific applications, such as time-resolved investigations with spatial and temporal atomic resolution or advanced high-resolution imaging modalities, and the generation of X-ray beams with even higher peak and average brightness.

Laser-Induced Generation of X-Ray Radiation and Its Impact on Material in the Context of Inertial Confinement Fusion Problems

Laser-Induced Generation of X-Ray Radiation and Its Impact on Material in the Context of Inertial Confinement Fusion Problems

Radiation Generation with an Existing Demonstrator of an Energy-Recovery Continuous-Wave Superconducting RF Accelerator

Over the past decades, many accelerator laboratories have put much effort into the development of compact energy-recovery linac (ERL) demonstrators to verify various physical and technical aspects of the generation, acceleration, transport and energy recovery of high brightness and high average current electron beams in a superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) linear accelerator. Beyond these goals, the ERL demonstrator also offers unique opportunities to study novel schemes for THz and X-ray radiation generation. In this paper, we discuss feasible options for schemes generating THz and X-ray radiation at low-energy continuous-wave (CW) SRF ERL demonstrators such as the bERLinPro accelerator.

The influence of processing parameters on X-ray emission during ultra-short pulse laser machining

During ultra-short laser material processing at high laser pulse repetition rates unwanted X-ray radiation can be generated in a quantity that may constitute a potential risk for health. An adequate X-ray radiation protection requires a thoroughly understanding of the influence of the laser processing parameters on the generation of X-ray radiation. In the present work, the generated X-ray dose during laser machining was investigated in air for varying beam scanning conditions at a pulse duration of 925 fs, a center wavelength of 1030 nm and a laser peak intensity of 2.6 × 1014 W/cm2. The X-ray radiation dose and the corresponding spectral X-ray emission were investigated in dependence on the laser’s pulse repetition rate and on the beam scanning speed. The results show a strong dependence of the X-ray emission on these laser processing parameters.

Two-Frequency Undulators for Generation of X-Ray Radiation in Free-Electron Lasers

We present a theoretical study and a computer simulation of characteristics of the undulator radiation in single-pass free-electron lasers (FELs). Using a phenomenological model describing the dynamics of the radiated power in FELs with allowance for the basic loss, we study generation of harmonics in the X-ray range in a FEL with a two-frequency undulator. We study the possibility to achieve a hundredfold increase in the radiation intensity of the nth harmonic in a FEL, in which the electron-phase shift by kπ/n with respect to photons occurs between undulator sections, where k = 2, 4, . . . . The advantages of using a two-frequency undulator in a single-pass FEL and the possibility of generating the high-power X-ray radiation by the FEL at the harmonic wavelengths 2.3–3.3 nm in the linear regime are demonstrated. The FEL is compared with the two-frequency undulator and the conventional plane undulator. Additionally, generation of radiation having a power of tens of megawatts is studied at the wavelength λ ≈ 3.27 nm in a multistage FEL with a length of 40 m, an off-the-shelf excimer ultraviolet seed laser, which operates at a wavelength of 157 nm, and an electron beam having an energy of about 0.6 GeV.

Generation of X-ray radiation from a plasma in a microchannel of a copper target located in the air under the action of soft-focused femtosecond laser pulses with an intensity of 100 TW cm−2

We have studied the dependence of X-ray radiation yield in the range of more than 3 keV from a microchannel in a copper target on the laser pulse number at a (0.7 – 4.0) × 1014 W cm−2 intensities of femtosecond laser radiation. A technique for estimating the intensity of laser radiation acting on the target using the slope of the X-ray bremsstrahlung spectrum is proposed. A possibility of using this technique for estimating the intensity in a femtosecond laser filament is considered.

Generation of Coherent Radiation in the Near X-Ray Band by a Cascade FEL with a Two-Frequency Undulator

Generation of X-ray radiation in a cascade self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser (SASE FEL) using the harmonics of a two-frequency undulator is studied. The advanced phenomenological model of a one-pass FEL that accounts for the main losses in real FELs is presented: the electron energy spread in the beam, the beam divergence, diffraction, and the fact that emission losses are greater at higher harmonics than in the main frequency range. The FEL mathematical model was performed using the Mathematica software and calibrated within the experiment carried out at the operating SPARC facility via complex three-dimensional numerical simulations. The phenomenological model is used to analyze FEL dynamics for generation of a high-energy X-ray emission at a relatively short length. It is proposed to use a two-frequency undulator for the initial electron grouping and subsequent frequency multiplication in a cascade FEL with higher harmonic amplification (HGHG). The advantages of the two-frequency undulator are presented for electron grouping at higher harmonics of the undulator radiation (UR). The operation of several types of FEL is simulated with amplification of the seed laser wave frequency in two and three cascades to generate the soft X-ray radiation. A seed laser with a wavelength of 11.43 nm corresponding to the peak reflectivity of mirror coatings with MoRu/Be is proposed for generating the intensive X-ray laser radiation with λ ~ 1.27–3.37 nm. Here, the intensive radiation power reaches 50 MW at a length of only 35 meters; the radiation shows good temporal coherence corresponding to the performance of a low-power seed laser with a lower frequency.

Compact single-pass X-ray FEL with harmonic multiplication cascades

The generation of X-ray radiation in cascaded single-pass free electron laser (FEL), which amplifies high harmonics of a two-frequency undulator, is studied. Power dynamics of FEL harmonics is explored with the help of the phenomenological model of a single pass FEL. The model describes both linear and non-linear harmonic generation, starting from a coherent seed laser and initial shot noise with account for main loss factors for each harmonic in each cascade individually: the energy spread and beam divergence, the coupling losses between FEL cascades, the diffraction etc. The model was validated with the experiment and with relevant 3-D simulations. It is employed for modeling the cascaded FELs with harmonic multiplication and analyzing the evolution of FEL harmonic power with the aim to obtain the maximum high harmonic power in the X-ray band at the shortest possible FEL length with the lowest possible seed frequency. The advantages of two-frequency undulators in HGHG FELs are elucidated. The requirements for the electron beam are studied; the need for low energy spread is evidenced: our evaluations yield σe<2×10−4. Several cascaded HGHG FELs with two-frequency undulators are modeled. Generation of soft X-ray radiation at λ=2.71nm, reaching ∼50 MW power with I0∼100 A in a cascaded FEL at just 40 m with 13.51 nm seed, matching peak reflectivity of Mo/Si, is demonstrated. The generation of 40 MW radiation power at λ=2.27nm with the beam current I0∼100 A, energy E=950MeV and the energy spread σe=2×10−4 is studied, using second and third harmonics in three-stage 45 m long FEL. The multistage FEL is modeled for generating radiation in nanometer band: ∼40 MW power at λ∼2.6 nm with I0∼175 A current in just ∼40 m long FEL with commercially available F2 excimer UV laser seed at 157 nm. The peak radiation power rises to ∼0.5 GW for ∼1 kA beam current.

Optimal speed of temperature change of a crystal in a pyroelectric X-ray radiation source

In this work we present the results of the experimental studies of the dependence of the X-ray radiation on the temperature change speed of the lithium tantalate monocrystal in the pyroelectric source of the X-ray radiation. We have found an optimized linear temperature speed change pattern for the pyroelectric crystal designed for generation of the X-ray radiation with enhanced capabilities. The studies that were made open an opportunity to determine the most convenient conditions for generation of X-ray radiation with pyroelectric effect and for development of high-capacity pyroelectric X-ray radiation sources.

Generation of X-Ray Radiation in Free-Electron Lasers with Two-Frequency Undulators

The possibility of creating an x-ray laser with a two-frequency undulator with the help of the phenomenological model of a single-pass free-electron laser (FEL) that takes into account the beam characteristics and the undulator field is studied. The model is used to analyze the FEL dynamics, and the simulation results are compared with the experimental data. The advantages of using a two-frequency undulator in the single-pass FEL and the possibility of generating powerful x-ray radiation in it are demonstrated. The evolution of power of higher-harmonic generation in the FEL and the bunching coefficient at wavelengths of these harmonics are studied. The possibility of their further amplification until saturation in a cascade FEL matched to higher harmonics of the two-frequency undulator is demonstrated.

Generation of X-ray radiation during planar channeling of relativistic electrons in crystals

A classical model of the emission of radiation by relativistic electrons in a crystal has been developed using the form of the potential maximally close to its actual form. The dynamics of electrons with energies 20–25 MeV performing channeling in crystals is simulated numerically. The generation of electromagnetic radiation that accompanies this motion has been considered. It has been shown that, in the given electron energy range, this radiation corresponds to the X-ray spectral band with characteristic photon energies of up to 40 keV. The radiation yield is estimated. The requirements to the electron beam parameters are formulated based on the results of the simulation. It has been shown that numerical simulation gives results that correlate with the analytic results obtained earlier and with the experimental data.

Target optimisation for the yield of X-rays of desired hardness under femtosecond pulse irradiation

Different regimes of electron acceleration from solid foils and low-density targets are investigated using three-dimensional numerical simulations. The size of the plasma corona is shown to be the main parameter characterising the temperature and number of hot electrons, which determine the yield of X-ray radiation and its hardness. Also studied is the generation of X-ray radiation by laser-accelerated electrons, which bombard the converter target located behind the laser target.

Tungsten quasispherical wire loads with a profiled mass

Wire arrays made from micrometer tungsten wires with linear mass profiled along their height are developed for experiments on the generation of X-ray radiation upon pinch compression with a current of ~3 MA at a pulse duration of ~100 ns. Wires are imaged with a scanning electron microscope, and their diameter is determined. It is shown that the arrays have such a profile of height distribution of linear mass that allows for compact spherical compression upon current implosion.

X-ray transition radiation of electrons with energy of 300 to 900 MeV in periodic multifoil radiators

Results of experiments conducted at the Tomsk synchrotron to study resonant X-ray transition radiation generated by relativistic electrons in periodic multifoil radiators are reviewed. Both the internal synchrotron beam and the external secondary electron beam from the pair magnetic γ-spectrometer with energies ranging from 300 to 900 MeV were used in the experiments. The radiators consisted of many thin amorphous foils of various materials. The generation of X-ray radiation in a compound radiator consisting of a multifoil radiator and a crystal is also studied. In this case, the resonant X-ray transition radiation generated in the multifoil radiator is diffracted in the crystal and emitted at Bragg angles, together with the parametric X-ray radiation generated in the crystal. Spectral and angular properties of the resonant X-ray transition radiation and diffracted resonant X-ray transition radiation are investigated. The ratio between the contributions from the diffracted resonant X-ray transition radiation and other types of radiation to the total coherent X-ray radiation flux generated by electrons in periodic structures and crystals is estimated.

Shock-cavitational mechanism of X-ray generation during fast water stream cavitation

The process of generation of X-ray radiation formed during the free exit of a fast stream of water in a state of cavitation from a narrow channel was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. It was observed for the first time that the initial part of the stream and the outlet of the channel are the sources of intensive X-ray radiation (with an activity of 0.1 Cu), which is connected with the cavitation phenomena and the following excitation of shock waves. The frequency of the X-ray radiation depends on the composition of the radiating surface (water or the surface of the channel walls) and increases with the increase of the atomic number of the surface. The mechanism of radiation generation is connected with the influence of cavitation shock waves formed on the nearest interface (water-air, water-metal, metal-air, air-metal, etc.).

Generation of X-ray radiation at the interaction of protons with dielectrics

Properties of the characteristic X-ray radiation excited in quartz under 100-keV proton bombardment have been experimentally investigated. The measured intensity of SiKα radiation for quartz is higher than that for pure silicon by three orders of magnitude. An afterglow from the target is observed for hundreds of seconds after the ion beam is turned off. This enhanced radiation intensity and the afterglow duration have been measured as a function of the beam current, beam grazing angle, and pressure in the chamber. The measurement data indicate that the enhanced insulator radiation is caused by the accumulation and discharge of a positive charge formed in a dielectric and on its surface under exposure to an ion beam.

Laser cooling of electrons and X-ray generation in a relativistic quantum heat engine

We consider a relativistic quantum heat engine that goes through a thermodynamical cycle consisting of stages involving laser-assisted cooling of electrons and the generation of X-ray radiation. Quantum treatment of the processes makes it possible to obtain the necessary condition and the amount of work extracted from the interaction ingredients, as well as the efficiency of the heat engine. We have also found that the efficiency of the relativistic engine is less than the one for the nonrelativistic case for the same momenta. The obtained results set the limits to the cooling, as well as the intensity of X-ray radiation, in the quantum regime of the interaction of electrons with laser fields.

Generation of x-ray radiation in a storage ring by a superconductive cold-bore in-vacuum undulator

The first beam measurements with a cold-bore superconducting in-vacuum undulator in a storage ring are reported. Undulators are x-ray generators in light sources. The physical limitations of these devices limit the intensity and the brilliance of the x-ray beam. At present the undulators are made from permanent magnets. It was shown in earlier papers that at low electron beam intensities superconductive wires in the vacuum beam pipe can overcome the limitations inherent to permanent magnet undulators. It was argued that the use of these novel devices in light sources with high beam currents may be limited by the extreme anomalous skin effect regime in Cu at 4.2 K, which has so far undergone very little investigation, and the power deposited by the infrared part of the synchrotron radiation. The purpose of this paper is to present measurements of these effects at the synchrotron light source ANKA with stored currents up to 200 mA.

Generation of X-ray Radiation with a High Pulse Repetition Rate by Means of a Volume Discharge in an Open Gas Diode

The subject of study is ultrashort avalanche-produced electron pulses generated in air under atmospheric pressure. The current amplitude of the pulses behind 45-μm-thick AlBe foil exceeds 100 A, and their FWHM is ≈0.2 ns. The conditions of generation of ultrashort pulses persist at repetition rates as high as 1.5 kHz. A volume discharge initiated in an open coaxial-electrode gas diode by high-voltage nanosecond pulses generates hard (> 60 keV) radiation.