Imaging detectors for 20-100 keV x-ray backlighters in high-energy-density experimental science petawatt experiments

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1789259· OSTI ID:20641229

Wickersham, J E; Park, H -S; Bell, P M; Koch, J A; Landen, O L; Moody, J D ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551-0808 (United States)

We are developing a petawatt laser for use as a high-energy backlighter source in the 20-100 keV range on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). High-energy x-ray backlighters will be essential for radiographing high-energy-density experimental science (HEDES) targets, especially to probe implosions and high areal density planar samples. For these high energy backlighter imaging experiments, we are developing two types of detectors: a columnar grown CsI scintillator coupled to a 2 Kx2 K charge-coupled device camera, and a CdTe crystal with special application specific integrated circuit readout electronics in a 508x512 format array. We characterized these sensors using Cd{sup 109} and Am{sup 241} radioactive isotopes. In addition, we employed them to measure the Sm K{alpha} source size generated by the short pulse laser, JanUSP, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The CsI camera performed well, allowing a measurement of the Sm K{alpha} source size. Calibration of this camera has shown that it has low noise and good resolution. The new CdTe camera performed well, however the noise level was too high for single photon counting. Some modifications to the camera will also be necessary in order to meet the needs of future hard x-ray experiments. Both cameras showed considerable promise as diagnostic tools for future high-energy x-ray backlighters for NIF HEDES experiments. This article will present the results of our characterizations of these detectors, and initial results from the JanUSP experiments.

• OSTI ID: 20641229
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 75; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AMERICIUM
AMERICIUM 241
CADMIUM 109
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
CALIBRATION
CESIUM COMPOUNDS
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
ENERGY DENSITY
HARD X RADIATION
IMPLOSIONS
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
KEV RANGE 10-100
KEV RANGE 100-1000
PETAWATT POWER RANGE
PHOTONS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
SAMARIUM
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY
X-RAY SOURCES