X-ray imaging of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities using Fresnel zone plate at the National Ignition Facility

Journal Article · Wed May 05 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0043682· OSTI ID:1781879

Do, A. ; Angulo, A. M.; Hall, G. N. ; Nagel, S. R. ; Izumi, N. ; Kozioziemski, B. J.; McCarville, T.; Ayers, J. M.; Bradley, D. K.

Being able to provide high-resolution x-ray radiography is crucial in order to study hydrodynamic instabilities in the high-energy density regime at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Current capabilities limit us to about 20 μm resolution using pinholes, but recent studies have demonstrated the high-resolution capability of the Fresnel zone plate optics at the NIF, measuring 2.3 μm resolution. Using a zinc Heα line at 9 keV as a backlighter, we obtained a radiograph of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities with a measured resolution of under 3 μm. Two images were taken with a time integrated detector and were time gated by a laser pulse duration of 600 ps, and a third image was taken with a framing camera with a 100 ps time gate on the same shot and on the same line of sight. The limiting factors on image quality for these two cases are the motion blur and the signal to noise ratio, respectively. We also suggest solutions to increase the image quality.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1781879
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Vol. 92 Journal Issue: 5; ISSN 0034-6748
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English