Imaging x-ray Thomson scattering spectrometer design and demonstration (invited).

In many laboratory astrophysics experiments, intense laser irradiation creates novel material conditions with large, one-dimensional gradients in the temperature, density, and ionization state. X-ray Thomson scattering is a powerful technique for measuring these plasma parameters. However, the scattered signal has previously been measured with little or no spatial resolution, which limits the ability to diagnose inhomogeneous plasmas. We report on the development of a new imaging x-ray Thomson spectrometer (IXTS) for the Omega laser facility. The diffraction of x-rays from a toroidally curved crystal creates high-resolution images that are spatially resolved along a one-dimensional profile while spectrally dispersing the radiation. This focusing geometry allows for high brightness while localizing noise sources and improving the linearity of the dispersion. Preliminary results are presented from a scattering experiment that used the IXTS to measure the temperature profile of a shocked carbon foam.

High-resolution Thomson parabola for ion analysis.

A new, versatile Thomson parabola ion energy (TPIE) analyzer has been designed, constructed, and used at the OMEGA-EP facility. Laser-accelerated multi-MeV ions from hemispherical C targets are transmitted through a W pinhole into a multi-kG magnetic field and subsequently through a parallel electric field of up to 25 kV/cm. The ion drift region has a user-selected length of 10, 50, or 80 cm. With the highest fields, 400-MeV C(6+) and C(5+) may be resolved. TPIE is ten-inch manipulator (TIM)-mounted at OMEGA-EP and can be used opposite either of the EP ps beams. The instrument runs on pressure-interlocked 15-Vdc power available in EP TIM carts. Flux control derives from the insertion depth into the target chamber and the user-selected pinhole dimensions. The detector consists of CR39 backed by an image plate. A fully relativistic simulation code for calculating ion trajectories was employed for design optimization. Excellent agreement of code predictions with the actual ion positions on the detectors is observed. Through pit counting of carbon-ion tracks in CR39, it is shown that conversion efficiency of laser light to energetic carbon ions exceeds ~5% for these targets.

A simple apparatus for quick qualitative analysis of CR39 nuclear track detectors.

Quantifying the ion pits in Columbia Resin 39 (CR39) nuclear track detector from Thomson parabolas is a time consuming and tedious process using conventional microscope based techniques. A simple inventive apparatus for fast screening and qualitative analysis of CR39 detectors has been developed, enabling efficient selection of data for a more detailed analysis. The system consists simply of a green He-Ne laser and a high-resolution digital single-lens reflex camera. The laser illuminates the edge of the CR39 at grazing incidence and couples into the plastic, acting as a light pipe. Subsequently, the laser illuminates all ion tracks on the surface. A high-resolution digital camera is used to photograph the scattered light from the ion tracks, enabling one to quickly determine charge states and energies measured by the Thomson parabola.

TRIDENT high-energy-density facility experimental capabilities and diagnostics.

The newly upgraded TRIDENT high-energy-density (HED) facility provides high-energy short-pulse laser-matter interactions with powers in excess of 200 TW and energies greater than 120 J. In addition, TRIDENT retains two long-pulse (nanoseconds to microseconds) beams that are available for simultaneous use in either the same experiment or a separate one. The facility's flexibility is enhanced by the presence of two separate target chambers with a third undergoing commissioning. This capability allows the experimental configuration to be optimized by choosing the chamber with the most advantageous geometry and features. The TRIDENT facility also provides a wide range of standard instruments including optical, x-ray, and particle diagnostics. In addition, one chamber has a 10 in. manipulator allowing OMEGA and National Ignition Facility (NIF) diagnostics to be prototyped and calibrated.

A novel backscatter focus diagnostic for the TRIDENT 200 TW laser.

Here we present the first direct focal spot images and analysis of an ultrahigh intensity short-pulse laser focus (>5x10(19) W/cm(2)) on target. Such a focal spot characterization is typically done previous to the shot with a low-power alignment beam using equivalent plane imaging techniques. The resulting intensity of the shot is then inferred from these results. We report on the development of a backscatter focus diagnostic, which enables imaging of the on-target full-power focal spot.