Generation of suprathermal electrons during magnetic reconnection at the sawtooth crash and disruption instability in the T-10 tokamak

Evidence for excitation of suprathermal electrons ( E(gamma) approximately 20-100 keV) during magnetic reconnection in the T-10 tokamak is presented through analysis of the x-ray measurements with enhanced spatial and time resolution. A toroidally viewing x-ray imaging system and a fast hard x-ray detector placed inside the tokamak vessel allow identification of bursts of the nonthermal x-ray radiation around X points of the m = 1 and m = 2 magnetic islands during the sawtooth crash and prior to the energy quench at the density limit disruption.     

The Diffusion Coefficient Using Sawtooth Oscillation in IR-T1 Tokamak

The investigation of runaway electrons is expanded by different methods. The aim of this study is to show sawtooth oscillations of hard x-ray emission and with the help of sawtooth oscillations to obtain radial diffusion coefficient and magnetic fluctuations. In the same way, the hard x-ray spectral evaluation is compared in several time intervals and it is shown that during discharge,the energy of the runaway electrons is less than 200 keV. Also,for typical plasmas, population of runaway electrons is measured at seven time intervals of 5 ms and temporal evaluation of runaway electron mean energy. The sawtooth-like shape is observed in the hard x-ray range(10-1000 keV). By the sawtooth oscillation method, the RE diffusion coefficient in radial transport in the IR-T1 plasma is D_r~0.5 m~2 s~(-1). The magnetic field fluctuation due to magnetic diffusion D_m is given as br/Br~10~(-4).     

Improving Plasma Confinement by Controlling Hard X-Ray

Since runaway electrons and magnetohydrodynamics activity can contribute to serious damage and energy losses in tokamaks,the effect of an external electric field on runaway electrons and hard x-ray spectra is investigated.Parameters such as the plasma current,the hard x-ray photons count and the mean energy of runaway electrons are measured.Positive and negative voltages of 300 V are applied at 10 ms after the plasma initiation(while the plasma is forming),at 15ms(while the plasma is stable) and at 20ms(while the plasma is fading away) to attain the most effective time of applying the external electric held.The number of hard x-ray photons has the most changes in the range of 0-200 keV when the external electric fields are applied.Also in the duration of 20-30 ms of plasma the greatest number of hard x-ray spectra is detected.When the external electric fields are applied,the mean energy of runaway electrons reduces significantly,especially at 15ms(while the plasma is stable).     

Total quantum-current yield in the soft x-ray region

The emission of slow secondary electrons excited in efficient photocathodes by fast internal x-ray electrons upon absorption of x-ray photons having energies in the range 1–10 keV is analyzed. Analytical expressions are derived for the quantum current yield of the x-ray photoelectric effect for a “point” model and a “non-point” model of energy exchange of fast internal x-ray electrons. We present some estimates for its parameters in a CsI photocathode. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 1042–1046 (June 1998)     

X-ray radiation from nonlinear Thomson scattering of an intense femtosecond laser on relativistic electrons in a helium plasma

We have generated x-ray radiation from the nonlinear Thomson scattering of a 30 fs/1.5 J laser beam on plasma electrons. A collimated x-ray radiation with a broad continuous spectrum peaked at 0.15 keV with a significant tail up to 2 keV has been observed. These characteristics are found to depend strongly on the laser strength parameter a(0). This radiative process is dominant for a(0) greater than unity at which point the relativistic scattering of the laser light originates from MeV energy electrons inside the plasma.     

Coherent x-ray diffraction imaging with nanofocused illumination

Coherent x-ray diffraction imaging is an x-ray microscopy technique with the potential of reaching spatial resolutions well beyond the diffraction limits of x-ray microscopes based on optics. However, the available coherent dose at modern x-ray sources is limited, setting practical bounds on the spatial resolution of the technique. By focusing the available coherent flux onto the sample, the spatial resolution can be improved for radiation-hard specimens. A small gold particle (size <100 nm) was illuminated with a hard x-ray nanobeam (E=15.25 keV, beam dimensions approximately 100 x 100 nm2) and is reconstructed from its coherent diffraction pattern. A resolution of about 5 nm is achieved in 600 s exposure time.     

Deducing the electron-beam diameter in a laser-plasma accelerator using x-ray betatron radiation

We investigate the properties of a laser-plasma electron accelerator as a bright source of keV x-ray radiation. During the interaction, the electrons undergo betatron oscillations and from the carefully measured x-ray spectrum the oscillation amplitude of the electrons can be deduced which decreases with increasing electron energies. From the oscillation amplitude and the independently measured x-ray source size of (1.8±0.3) μm we are able to estimate the electron bunch diameter to be (1.6±0.3) μm.     

Using compound kinoform hard-x-ray lenses to exceed the critical angle limit

We have fabricated and tested a compound lens consisting of an array of four kinoform lenses for hard x-ray photons of 11.3 keV. Our data demonstrate that it is possible to exceed the critical angle limit by using multiple lenses, while retaining lens function, and this suggests a route to practical focusing optics for hard x-ray photons with nanometer scale resolution and below.     

Control of strong-laser-field coupling to electrons in solid targets with wavelength-scale spheres

Irradiation of a planar solid by an intense laser pulse leads to fast electron acceleration and hard x-ray production. We have investigated whether this high field production of fast electrons can be controlled by introducing dielectric spheres of well-defined size on the target surface. We find that the presence of spheres with a diameter slightly larger than half the laser wavelength leads to Mie enhancements of the laser field which, accompanied by multipass stochastic heating of the electrons, leads to significantly enhanced hard x-ray yield and temperature.     

Refractive microlens array for wave-front analysis in the medium to hard x-ray range

We report an alternative approach to x-ray wave-front analysis that uses a refractive microlens array as a Shack-Hartmann sensor. The sensor was manufactured by self-assembly and electroplating techniques and is suitable for high-resolution wave-front analysis of medium to hard x rays. We demonstrate its effectiveness at an x-ray energy of 3 keV for analysis of x-ray wave-front perturbations caused by microscopic objects. The sensor has potential advantages over other methods for x-ray phase imaging and will also be useful for the characterization of x-ray beams and optics.     

Hard X ray holographic diffraction imaging

We determine the absolute electron density of a lithographically grown nanostructure with 25 nm resolution by combining hard x-ray Fourier transform holography with iterative phase retrieval methods. While holography immediately reveals an unambiguous image of the object, we deploy in addition iterative phase retrieval algorithms for pushing the resolution close to the diffraction limit. The use of hard (8 keV) x rays eliminates practically all constraints on sample environment and enables a destruction-free investigation of relatively thick or buried samples, making holographic diffraction imaging a very attractive tool for materials science. We note that the technique is ideally suited for subpicosecond imaging that will become possible with the emerging hard x-ray free-electron lasers.     

High pressure electronic properties in the light of inelastic X-ray scattering From magnetic collapse to quantum criticality

The properties of solids are strongly modified at high pressure. Not only their structure is affected as a direct consequence of the compressed lattice, but also their electronic and magnetic properties as pressure alters significantly the electron density and orbital overlap, thus the electronic localization and hybridization. We present here high pressure experiments using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. RIXS in the high energy range (≥5keV) has appeared as a powerful probe of the electronic properties under extreme conditions. It is chemically and orbitally selective while showing an intrinsic resolving power spectacularly larger than standard spectroscopic probes. Results will be briefly presented in 3d metals and f-electron systems. The behavior of 3d electrons under pressure will be explored in the light of magnetic collapse transitions; We will comment on f-electron delocalization, especially when approaching a Kondo anomaly or a quantum critical point; Pressure dedicated setups are also discussed.     

Metal nanoplasmas as bright sources of hard X-ray pulses

We report significant enhancements in light coupling to intense-laser-created solid plasmas via surface plasmon and "lightning rod" effects. We demonstrate this in metal nanoparticle-coated solid targets irradiated with 100 fs, 806 nm laser pulses, focused to intensities approximately 10(14)-10(15) W cm(-2). Our experiments show a 13-fold enhancement in hard x-ray yield (10-200 keV) emitted by copper nanoparticle plasmas formed at the focal volume. A simple model explains the observed enhancement quantitatively and provides pointers to the design of structured surfaces for maximizing such emissions.     

Single shot spatial and temporal coherence properties of the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source in the hard x-ray regime

We measured the transverse and longitudinal coherence properties of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC in the hard x-ray regime at 9 keV photon energy on a single shot basis. Speckle patterns recorded in the forward direction from colloidal nanoparticles yielded the transverse coherence properties of the focused LCLS beam. Speckle patterns from a gold nanopowder recorded with atomic resolution allowed us to measure the shot-to-shot variations of the spectral properties of the x-ray beam. The focused beam is in the transverse direction fully coherent with a mode number close to 1. The average number of longitudinal modes behind the Si(111) monochromator is about 14.5 and the average coherence time τ(c)=(2.0±1.0) fc. The data suggest a mean x-ray pulse duration of (29±14) fs behind the monochromator for (100±14) fc electron pulses.     

Hard X-ray high kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy at the KMC-1 beamline at BESSY

Photoelectron spectroscopy at high kinetic energy is a research field that receives an increasing interest due to the possibility of studying bulk properties of materials and deeply buried interfaces. Recently, the hard x-ray high kinetic energy electron spectroscopy facility (HIKE) at BESSY in Berlin has become operative at the bending magnet beamline KMC-1. First results show excellent performance. Electron spectra have been recorded using x-ray energies continuously tunable between 2 keV and 12 keV. Using back-scattering conditions in the crystal monochromator very high resolution has been achieved for photon energies around 2 keV, 6 keV and 8 keV.     

Relative electron inelastic mean free paths for diamond and graphite at 8 keV and intrinsic contributions to the energy-loss

We used hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) with 8 keV X-rays to investigate the 1s emission of carbon. We recorded spectra extending from the peak of the C 1s electrons (“elastic” line) to electrons with up to 110 eV energy-loss. Using two samples side by side, we could compare the inelastic mean free paths (IMFPs) of the electrons of almost 8 keV in diamond and graphite and find them to be practically identical despite about 50% difference in densities. Published extrapolations of their IMFP calculations at lower energies are in good agreement with this result. We show that information from the almost structureless region of overlapping multiple extrinsic energy-losses can be used to quantify the fraction of photoelectrons experiencing intrinsic energy-losses (those due to the sudden creation of the hole). We find that this fraction is 58% of the primary excited C 1s electrons for diamond and is practically the same for graphite. This is at first sight an unexpected result since hole-screening should differ in a semimetal from that in an insulator. The observation can be accounted for by dynamic screening in contrast to static screening.     

Quenching electron runaway in positive high-voltage-impulse discharges in air by laser filaments

Strong hard (ε>100 keV) x rays being observed from impulse atmospheric discharges with maximal voltages from U=0.5 to 0.9 MV just before the breakdown were completely stopped with the use of femtosecond-laser-filament plasma. Runaway electrons generating such x rays and being estimated to achieve their maximal energy, ε~U, near the positive electrode disappear if a laser filament plasma is ignited perpendicularly to the runaway near the positive electrode. A preheating mechanism for formation of the electron runaway in air is proposed.     

Large volume high pressure research using the wiggler port at NSLS

Abstract

A DIA-type cubic-anvil high pressure apparatus (SAM-85) has been interfaced with white x-ray radiation from the superconducting wiggler port of the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction measurements can be obtained for samples with dimensions of the order of 1 mm as a function of pressure and temperature utilizing x-ray energies of up to100 keV.

The sample environment is examined. Pressure is uniform in the sample chamber to within 0.1 GPa, and temperature is constant in the scattering volume to within 5°C.A method is defined for determining deviatoric stress. We find that for a sample containing NaCl and Au, the deviatoric stress increases to about 0.3 GPa as pressure increases to 1.5 GPa and then remains constant, probably reflecting the strength of the sample. Upon heating, the deviatoric stress quickly approaches zero.

Presented at the IUCr Workshop on ‘Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation for High Pressure Crystallography’, Daresbury Laboratory 20-21 July 1991     

Single shot phase contrast imaging using laser-produced Betatron x-ray beams

Development of x-ray phase contrast imaging applications with a laboratory scale source have been limited by the long exposure time needed to obtain one image. We demonstrate, using the Betatron x-ray radiation produced when electrons are accelerated and wiggled in the laser-wakefield cavity, that a high-quality phase contrast image of a complex object (here, a bee), located in air, can be obtained with a single laser shot. The Betatron x-ray source used in this proof of principle experiment has a source diameter of 1.7 μm and produces a synchrotron spectrum with critical energy E(c)=12.3±2.5 keV and 10? photons per shot in the whole spectrum.     

Heating of the solar corona by dissipative Alfvén solitons

Solar photospheric convection drives myriads of dissipative Alfvén solitons (hereinafter called alfvenons) capable of accelerating electrons and ions to energies of hundreds of keV and producing the x-ray corona. Alfvenons are exact solutions of two-fluid equations for a collisionless plasma and represent natural accelerators for conversion of the electromagnetic energy flux driven by convective flows into kinetic energy of charged particles in space and astrophysical plasmas. Their properties have been experimentally verified in the magnetosphere, where they accelerate auroral electrons to tens of keV.