kHz激光与固体靶相互作用产生的X射线源

利用kHz激光与固体靶相互作用产生了平均流强为1.3×10⁷ photons·sr^-1·s^-1的X射线源, 研究了激光的对比度和能量对激光与固体靶相互作用产生的X射线能谱及K_α 产额的影响, 使用刀边成像技术测量了X射线源的源尺寸, 并进行了初步的成像实验. 实验中观察到对于非相对论级别的激光脉冲, 降低激光的对比度有利于提高K_α 产额, 而使用高对比度高强度激光, 更有利于获得高通量高信噪比X射线源. 关键词： kHz激光 固体靶 X射线     

Strong temperature effect on X-ray photo-etching of polytetrafluoroethylene using a 10 Hz laser-plasma radiation source based on a gas puff target

The first results of experiments on direct photo-etching of heated PTFE using a 10 Hz X-ray source based on a laser-irradiated gas puff target are presented. X-ray radiation in the wavelength range from 6 to 20 nm was produced as a result of irradiation of a double-stream gas puff target with Nd:YAG laser pulses of energy 0.8 J and time duration 3 ns. The resulting X-ray pulses with energy of about 100–200 mJ were used to irradiate samples of PTFE to create microstructures by direct photo-etching. Strong enhancement of the photo-etching process was observed for samples heated up to 300 °C. PACS 52.38.Ph; 81.65.Cf; 61.82.Pv     

神光Ⅲ激光装置直接驱动内爆靶产生的连续谱X光源

激光驱动的内爆靶通过轫致辐射过程可以产生覆盖1—100 keV能区的小尺寸、短脉冲和高亮度的光滑连续谱X光源,可用于高密度等离子体的点投影照相和吸收谱诊断等.本文对30—180 k J输出能量的神光Ⅲ激光装置直接驱动氘氚冷冻靶产生的连续谱X光源辐射特性进行了模拟研究,为优化内爆光源提供物理基础.采用了美国OMEGA激光装置和美国国家点火装置(NIF)使用的定标率来给出不同驱动能量时的靶参数和激光脉冲参数.研究发现,内爆靶丸在停滞阶段瞬时的密度和温度剧增可以产生尺寸约100μm、发光时间约150 ps的X光脉冲;X光辐射主要产生于被压缩的氘氚冰壳层内侧、而不是中心的高温气体热斑区;等离子体的自吸收可以显著降低1—3 keV的较低能区的X光发射,但对更高能区没有影响;X光辐射主要集中在30 keV的较低能区,氘氚聚变反应可以增强30 keV的硬X光辐射、但对30 keV的较软的X光辐射没有明显贡献.     

Femtosecond X-ray line emission from multilayer targets irradiated by short laser pulses

The invention of high-power, ultra-short-pulse lasers has opened the way to investigations aimed at the creation of a new type of bright X-ray source for various uses including material science applications and time-resolved X-ray diffraction for biology. The efficiency with which laser energy incident on a solid target is converted into an X-ray emission depends on many factors, including the temporal profile of the laser pulse. Here we report the results of our theoretical and experimental investigations of the line X-ray emission from layered solid targets irradiated by ultra-short laser pulses. The laser prepulse parameters and target thickness are optimized to convert the maximum laser energy into an emission in the selected X-ray line. Multilayer foils are proposed to increase the energy of the K-line emission from laser plasma while simultaneously keeping the X-ray pulse duration at a hundred femtoseconds. The emission is studied both experimentally and theoretically by means of an analytical model and numerical simulations. PACS 52.38.Ph; 52.38.Dx; 52.50.Jm     

A pulse-train laser driven XUV source for picosecond pump–probe experiments in the water window

We describe the development of a table top soft X-ray source based on a laser produced plasma. The plasma is produced by a Nd:YLF pulse-train laser which delivers pulse trains of up to 400 pulses each of about 25 ps duration. Number and energy of the micropulses are fully computer controlled adjustable for an optimum interaction with a rotating solid target. Spectral, spatial and temporal characteristics of the X-ray emission from Mylar and copper targets have been studied. A calibrated back-illuminated CCD camera together with a slit grating spectrograph were utilized for the measurement of the absolute soft X-ray photon fluxes. The temporal measurements were performed using a streak camera while the plasma size was measured with a zone plate. An application of the system in a X-ray absorption experiment is shown. The advantages of the system in view of possible optical pump and soft X-ray probe experiments will be discussed.     

Review of collisional excitation neon-like and nickel-like soft X-ray lasers pumped by multiple infrared laser pulses at the Institute of Laser Engineering,Osaka University

We report on the soft X-ray laser developments performed at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University especially for the collisional excitation X-ray lasers at wavelengths between 25 nm and 4 nm. The performance of neon-like and nickel-like ion X-ray lasing pumped by a train of short laser pulses has been investigated. We have also demonstrated double pass amplification using a soft X-ray multi-layer mirror at wavelengths of 19.6 nm and 7.9 nm. Based on these results and experimental technique, two targets were placed in series to double the gain length. Two opposing laser beams irradiated the double targets with a suitable time difference for quasi-traveling wave pumping. The double target amplification was successfully demonstrated with two beam irradiation for Ag, Nd, Yb, Hf and Ta lasing. The estimated absolute photon flux from the saturated amplification Ag X-ray laser was ∼300 μJ. Based on the experimental results, we also discuss the applications of an X-ray laser as a super-high brightness soft X-ray source.     

Excitation of low-lying nuclear states by the ion line emission in femtosecond laser plasma

A scheme of nuclear excitation by the ionic X-ray lines in laser plasma using two femtosecond laser pulses is proposed. The first pulse produces plasma with a given degree of ionization, allowing the X-ray line energies of the target ions to be tuned to resonance with the nuclear transition, while the second pulse generates hot electrons that are necessary for X-ray generation.     

Parametric study of plasma active medium and gain saturation region in a Ne-like soft X-ray laser

Plasmas created by the interaction of high power optical laser with a target surface can be used as a source of soft X-ray lasers. Plasma and pump laser characteristics play significant role in achieving high gain coefficient for such plasma based on soft X-ray lasers. In the present work, the plasma active medium parameters for germanium element at a wavelength of 19.6 nm irradiated by a double-pulse pump laser have been studied using MED103 hydrodynamic code. For this purpose, first, the effects of laser intensity, pulse width and delay time of two pulses on the gain coefficient have been investigated and the optimum conditions for the maximum gain extent of Ne-like germanium soft X-ray laser are obtained. Then, in order to calculate the intensity of such high gain lasers in which Linford equation is invalid, we have adopted the general formula of amplified spontaneous emission intensity, which is valid in all range of intensities even at much higher intensities than saturation intensity. Finally, the soft X-ray laser intensities in the saturated areas for different plasma lengths have been calculated. The results show that the output of soft X-ray laser intensity with 294 cm⁻¹ gain coefficient can reach to about several times saturated intensity by applying a 1–2 mm plasma length as the active medium.     

Ultrafast x-ray pulses emitted from a liquid mercury laser target

We report the generation of ultrashort, hard-x-ray pulses from a liquid mercury target irradiated by 5 kHz laser pulses. The new x-ray source is designed for time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy as well as imaging applications. This marks the first laser-driven plasma x-ray source that continuously recycles the target material, facilitating maintenance-free operation. Theoretical calculations show mercury targets emit shorter x-ray pulses than targets of lighter elements under identical illumination and x-ray detection conditions.     

19.6nm波长类氖锗X光激光光源理论模拟

 波长19.6nm的类氖锗X光激光适合作为诊断激光等离子体界面不稳定性的光源。用经过实验检验的系列程序对预-主短脉冲驱动类氖锗进行了系统的优化设计和理论分析。采用2%~3%的预脉冲强度，6~8ns的预-主脉冲时间间隔，在4×10¹³W/cm²功率密度驱动下, 波长19.6nm增益区的宽度可以超过60μm，增益区的维持时间可以达到90ps。对于16mm长的平板靶，增益系数可达11.8/cm；弯曲靶增益系数可达13.3/cm；单靶小增益长度积可达21.3，单靶就可以获得饱和增益。采用双靶对接，其小讯号增益可达38.4，可以获得深度饱和增益，能满足应用演示所需的X光激光光源。     

Key methods for intensifying soft X-ray emission from a laser plasma for lithography

A two-pulse two-wave (Nd and CO₂ lasers) scheme is proposed for irradiating a laser target, which ensures the highest factor of laser radiation conversion to the X-ray range (13.5 nm ± 1%). Analytic estimates are obtained for parameters of pulses and of the target made of Xe or Li. Numerical optimization is performed for X-ray emission from a spherical Xe target exposed to a CO₂ laser pulse. The maximal factor of conversion of laser radiation to X rays is ～1%. Angular and spectral characteristics of X-ray radiation are obtained. The flux of fast Xe ions ejected from the target and damaging the Mo/Si coating of X-ray mirrors is estimated.     

Experiment of X-ray Generations Using Laser-Compton Scattering at LINAC of SINAP

Laser Compton scattering(LCS) can generate X-rays or y-rays with high brightness and easy controlled polarization by applying high-peak-power laser pulses to relativistic electron bunches.One of the most promising approaches to short pulsed X-ray sources is the laser synchrotron source.It is based on LCS between picoseconds relativistic electron bunches and picoseconds laser pulses.A project of Shanghai laser electron gamma source with LCS method has been proposed on Shanghai synchrotron radiation facility.Before that,a prototype has been developed in the beamline of the linear accelerator at the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.The LCS experiment was carried out by using the 107 MeV,5 Hz,1 ns,0.1 nC electron bunches from the linear accelerator and the 18 ns,10 MW peak power,Nd:YAG laser pulses.In this communication,we describe the details and report the first results of this experiment.     

X射线胶片的脉冲光源响应标定

用ＬＦ－１１激光装置的１．０６μｍ脉冲激光加热Ｃｕ靶产生的Ｌ－壳层线辐射作脉冲Ｘ射线源，在曝光量为（０．０１～１０）－７Ｊ·ｃｍ－２范围内，标定了ＫＯＤＡＫＡＡ－５，ＫＯＤＡＫＳＷＲ和ＵＦＳＨ－Ｏ软Ｘ射线胶片的响应曲线，并与用连续光源标定的进行了对比．结果表明，这三种ｘ射线胶片，在强脉冲光源曝光条件下，都存在着胶片响应互易律失效问题，过去用连续光源标定的响应曲线，在激光等离子体诊断实验中，已经不能采用．     

激光等离子体动量转换效率的实验研究

强激光与固体靶相互作用时，产生的高速喷射的等离子体对靶具有强烈的反冲作用，因此，激光等离子体可以作为一种新型的推进动力源.与传统的化学燃料推动相比，激光等离子体具有较高的比冲和有效载荷比等特点.对纳秒激光脉冲与铝、石墨、铅和碳氢靶相互作用时，等离子体对靶的冲量进行了实验测量，研究了大气与真空环境下的靶动量与激光聚焦面积的关系，并对部分实验结果与理论计算的数值进行了比较.实验结果显示，大气与真空环境下的靶动量有很大的差异，并且真空下的靶动量受材料性质的影响较大，与以往长脉冲激光的实验结果有很大的不同. 关键词： 激光等离子体 动量 动量耦合系数     

On the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with cluster targets

The heating of clusters by femtosecond laser pulses is studied theoretically and experimentally. Both the formation of a cluster target and the results of experimental studies of the cluster plasma by the methods of X-ray emission spectroscopy are considered. A numerical model of cluster formation in a supersonic gas jet is proposed. It is shown that detailed studies of two-phase gas-dynamic processes in a nozzle forming the jet give the spatial distributions of all parameters required for the correct calculation of the cluster heating by short laser pulses. Calculations of nozzles of different configurations show that in a number of cases an almost homogeneous cluster target can be formed, whereas in other cases the distributions of parameters prove to be not only inhomogeneous but also even nonmonotonic. A simple physical model of the plasma production by a femtosecond laser pulse and a picosecond prepulse is proposed. It is shown that a comparison of X-ray spectra with detailed calculations of the ion kinetics makes it possible to determine the main parameters of the plasma being produced.     

A review of Ni-like X-ray laser experiments undertaken using the VULCAN laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Recent progress using the VULCAN laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to pump X-ray lasing in nickel-like ions is reviewed. Double pulse pumping with ∼100 ps pulses has been shown to produce significantly greater X-ray laser output than single pulses of duration 0.1–1 ns. With double pulse pumping, the main pumping pulse interacts with a pre-formed plasma created by a pre-pulse. The efficiency of lasing increases as there is a reduced effect of refraction of the X-ray laser beam due to smaller density gradients and larger gain volumes, which enable propagation of the X-ray laser beam along the full length of the target. The record shortest wavelength saturated laser at 5.9 nm has been achieved in Ni-like dysprosium using double pulse pumping of 75 ps duration from the VULCAN laser. A variant of the double pulse pumping using a single ∼100 ps laser pulse and a superimposed short ∼1 ps pulse has been found to further increase the efficiency of lasing by reducing the effects of over-ionisation during the gain period. The record shortest wavelength saturated laser pumped by a short ∼1 ps pulse has been achieved in Ni-like samarium using the VULCAN laser operating in chirped pulse amplified (CPA) mode. Ni-like samarium lases at 7.3 nm.     

高增益复合泵浦O^＋7X射线激光的理论研究

用一维流体力学程序MEDUSA耦合原子物理程序NIMP,对超短脉冲激光辐照Mylar纤维靶和平面靶产生复合泵浦O~(17)X射线激光的物理过程进行了理论研究,探讨了利用VULCAN激光装置的CPA皮秒脉冲光束进行饱和增益实验的可行性.结果表明,超短脉冲辐照激光靶可能是产生饱和增益的复合泵浦X射线激光的一条有效途径.     

激光腔靶辐射时间特性研究

介绍了激光加热腔靶辐射时间特性研究。实验采用滤长为１．０５３μｍ，能量为３０－７５０Ｊ，脉宽为６００－１１００ｐｓ的高斯型激光脉冲，辐照柱型腔靶，用两台具有一定和时间分辨的亚千Ｘ射线能谱仪，分别观察激光入射口和Ｘ光输运口的辐射时间特性，实验结果给出了腔靶源区发射Ｘ光时间过程及其与发射口面积，形状，发射能区等的关系。     

冷冻靶激光等离子体软X射线源

报道了以固态ＣＯ２作为靶材的一种新型激光等离子体软Ｘ射线源，与常规金属靶激光等离子体软Ｘ射线源相比，它是一种低污染的光源，深入研究正在进行中。     

Picosecond X-ray plasma radiation measurements

Direct picosecond measurements of X-ray laser plasma radiation were performed with a high-speed X-ray image-converter camera (ICC). This camera operates in the single-frame mode with an exposure time ranging from 5 ns to 0.5 μs and in the streak mode with 5 × 10⁹ to 5 × 10⁷ cm/s streak velocities. Its temporal resolution in the streak mode was calculated to be about 7 ps. A plasma was created by focussing 10 ps 1 to 2 joule laser pulses onto a titanium target placed in a vacuum chamber. The halfwidth of the recorded X-ray pulses varied from 30 to 60 ps.