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We have used the new technique of soft x-ray laser shadowgraphy in combination with traditional plasma emission spectroscopy and theoretical modeling to study the dynamics of a plasma column created by a discharge through a 380 &mgr;m diameter evacuated microcapillary. The transient microcapillary plasma was imaged with high-spatial and temporal resolution using a tabletop discharge pumped 46.9-nm laser backlighter. Model computations show that the sharp boundary observed between the absorbent and transparent regions of the shadowgrams is defined by the spatial distribution of weakly ionized ions that are strongly photoionized by the probe laser. The plasma was observed to rapidly evolve from an initially nonuniform distribution into a column with good azimuthal symmetry and minimum density on axis [computed electron density on axis n(e)=(1-3)x10(19) cm(-3)]. This concave electron density profile constitutes a plasma waveguide for laser radiation. Heated solely by Joule dissipation from relatively small excitation currents (1.5 kA), this dense plasma reaches substantial electron temperatures of T(e)=15-20 eV as a result of the absence of significant hydrodynamic losses and reduced radiation losses caused by large spectral line opacities. The results illustrate the potential of tabletop soft x-ray lasers as a new plasma diagnostic tool. more...

We present spectroscopic measurements of the helium-like and lithium-like argon emission supported by Thomson scattering diagnostics on gas bag targets. These data provide critical tests of plasma spectroscopic K-shell models. In particular, we have measured the line radiation in the wavelength region of the He-like Ar 1s(2)-1s3l transition (He-beta) that is of interest for density and temperature measurements of plasmas from gas-filled targets (n(e)/=10(24) cm(-3)). The spectra show lithium-like dielectronic satellites on the red wing of the He-beta line that are temperature sensitive and are known to influence the shape of the Stark-broadened line profiles observed from implosions. To examine the kinetics modeling of this complex, i.e., the He-beta and its associated satellites, we have performed experiments in gas bag plasmas at densities of (0.6-1.1)x10(21) cm(-3) where we independently determine the electron temperature with ultraviolet Thomson scattering. The comparison of the satellite intensities with kinetics modeling shows good agreement for satellites whose upper states are populated by dielectronic capture, but shows discrepancies for inner-shell collisional excited transitions. more...

We have designed and produced hot, millimeter-scale, high-Z plasmas of interest for National Ignition Facility hohlraum target design. Using a high-Z gas fill produces electron temperatures in the 3.5-6-keV range, the highest temperatures measured to date for high-density (10(21) e/cm(3)) laser-heated plasmas, and much higher than the 3 keV found for low-Z (neopentane) fills. These measurements are in good agreement with the target design calculations, and the L-shell spectroscopic approach used to estimate the electron temperature has certain advantages over traditional K-shell approaches. more...