Measurements of niobium absorption spectra in plasmas with nearly full M-shell configurations

A systematic study has been carried out on the changes in the L-shell absorption structure of niobium as a result of changing the population of the n = 3 shell from full to having vacancies in the 3d level. The niobium spectra were measured in the 2–3 keV frequency range, which spanned the 2p-nd transitions where 3 ≤ n ≤ 11. In addition to the detailed structure in these arrays the data also show 2s-4p and 2p-4s transitions and the bound-free L edge. The frequencies and widths of transition arrays, transmission between arrays, and the absorption due to the bound-free edge, can be seen in the data. The sample conditions were found from a combination of two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics calculations using the AWE NYM code and flux measurements using X-ray diodes, measurements of 1s-2p absorption spectra in aluminium and mixed aluminium/niobium samples. The electron temperature error, inferred from the modelling, is ±2 eV, with a density error of 30%. The data were recorded over the temperature range from 28 to 45 eV and show marked changes in the spectra over this range.The data were compared to spectra predicted by the AWE CASSANDRA B.J.B. Crowley, J.W.O. Harris, J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 71 (2000) p. 257] opacity code. The calculated spectra were able to reproduce the measurements reasonably well. However, there are some differences in line positions that cannot be accounted for by gradients and there are differences in the array structure in the prediction and the measurements, with additional structure predicted but not seen in the measurements. There is also lower transmission on the blue side of the 2p-3d transition arrays compared to prediction.