Phase-contrast imaging using ultrafast x-rays in laser-shocked materials

Journal Article · Fri Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3485109· OSTI ID:22055893

Workman, J; Cobble, J; Flippo, K; Gautier, D C; Montgomery, D S; Offermann, D T ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

High-energy x-rays, >10 keV, can be efficiently produced from ultrafast laser target interactions with many applications to dense target materials in inertial confinement fusion and high-energy density physics. These same x-rays can also be applied to measurements of low-density materials inside high-density Hohlraum environments. In the experiments presented, high-energy x-ray images of laser-shocked polystyrene are produced through phase contrast imaging. The plastic targets are nominally transparent to traditional x-ray absorption but show detailed features in regions of high density gradients due to refractive effects often called phase contrast imaging. The 200 TW Trident laser is used both to produce the x-ray source and to shock the polystyrene target. X-rays at 17 keV produced from 2 ps, 100 J laser interactions with a 12 {mu}m molybdenum wire are used to produce a small source size, required for optimizing refractive effects. Shocks are driven in the 1 mm thick polystyrene target using 2 ns, 250 J, 532 nm laser drive with phase plates. X-ray images of shocks compare well to one-dimensional hydro calculations.

• OSTI ID: 22055893
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 81; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENERGY DENSITY
IMAGES
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
KEV RANGE
LASER MATERIALS
LASER TARGETS
LASERS
MOLYBDENUM
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
POLYSTYRENE
REFRACTION
X RADIATION