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The use of targets with surface structures for laser-driven particle acceleration has potential to significantly boost the particle and radiation energies because of enhanced laser absorption. We investigate, via experiment and particle-in-cell simulations, the impact of micron-scale surface-structured targets on the spectrum of electrons and protons accelerated by a picosecond laser pulse at relativistic intensity. Our results show that, compared with flat-surfaced targets, structures on this scale give rise to a significant enhancement in particle and radiation emission over a wide range of laser–target interaction parameters. This is due to the longer plasma scale length when using micro-structures on the target front surface. We do not observe an increase in the proton cutoff energy with our microstructured targets, and this is due to the large volume of the relief.

A superbright X-ray source with a radiation temperature of ~1.2 keV making it possible to create a solid-state plasma whose kinetics is determined by the radiative processes has been implemented under the impact of a 170-TW pulse of the PEARL femtosecond laser facility on an aluminum target with submicron thickness. The diagnostics of the created plasma is performed by X-ray spectral methods using spectral transitions in hollow multicharged ions.

Direct metrology of coherent short-wavelength beamlines is important for obtaining operational beam characteristics at the experimental site. However, since beam-time limitation imposes fast metrology procedures, a multi-parametric metrology from as low as a single shot is desirable. Here a two-dimensional (2D) procedure based on high-resolution Fresnel diffraction analysis is discussed and applied, which allowed an efficient and detailed beamline characterization at the SACLA XFEL. So far, the potential of Fresnel diffraction for beamline metrology has not been fully exploited because its high-frequency fringes could be only partly resolved with ordinary pixel-limited detectors. Using the high-spatial-frequency imaging capability of an irradiated LiF crystal, 2D information of the coherence degree, beam divergence and beam quality factor M 2 were retrieved from simple diffraction patterns. The developed beam metrology was validated with a laboratory reference laser, and then successfully applied at a beamline facility, in agreement with the source specifications.

A method for determining the crystal reflectivity curve, based on the use of a broadband X-ray source and an additional spectrometer with preliminarily measured characteristics is proposed. Such a technique does not allow determination of the absolute reflectivity, but makes it possible to measure the dependence of its relative values on the wavelength. Using X-ray radiation of relativistic dense laser plasma, the reflection curve of a spherically bent mica crystal is measured in the range of 6.7–8.7 A. The obtained reflectivity curve is used to correctly interpret X-ray spectra of dense plasma generated during the interaction a petawatt laser pulse with solid targets.

The emission of X-rays from solid tin targets irradiated by low-energy (few mJ) femtosecond laser pulses propagated through air plasma sparks is investigated. The aim is that to better understand the X-ray emission mechanism and to show the possibility to produce proper radiation for spectroscopic and imaging applications with a table-top laser system. The utilization of a controlled ultrashort prepulse is found necessary to optimize the conversion efficiency of laser energy into Lα radiation. The optimum contrast between the main pulse and the controlled prepulse is found about 102. A correlation between the laser contrast value and the laser near-infrared spectra at the exit of the plasma spark is observed.

The overview of the recent results for discovery and investigations of a very exotic phenomenon – optical mirage in the X-ray spectral range – is presented. It was found that the mirage could be created in the form of coherent virtual point source, emerging in the vicinity of the second plasma in two-stage oscillator-amplifier X-ray laser. The X-ray source-mirage, rigidly phased with the initial radiation of generator, occurs only when amplification takes place in the amplifier plasma and leads to the appearance of the interference pattern in the form of concentric rings in the spatial profile of the output X-ray laser beam. The equation describing the emergence of X-ray mirage was found, numerical solution of which shows that its formation is similar to that of the optical mirages observed at propagation of light rays through an inhomogeneously heated air. Obtained results have already demonstrated novel comprehension into the physical nature of amplification of X-ray radiation, opening additional opportunities for X-ray interferometry, holography, and other applications, which require multiple rigidly phased sources of coherent radiation.

Study of warm dense matter remains a very important task for understanding of many unique phenomena observing as in astrophysical research as in inertial fusion and fast ignition. In this work, we studied the parameters of plasma created by 1.7 ps laser pulses of relativistic intensity of 7 × 1018W/cm2in a specially designed Al–Cu wire-shape target, in comparison with a flat Cu and Al foil targets. We observed the strong emission of neutral or virtually neutral CuKαline from both Cu foil and Cu wire part of targets, which indicates the creation of a dense state exposed to the intense flow of hot electrons. Parameters of the plasma were evaluated by comparison of experimental spectra with the results of modeling by collisional-radiative kinetic code PrismSpec under the plasma zone approach. The using of Al foil in front of Cu wire part of target allowed avoiding the direct heating of Cu-wire and acquiring spectra of Cu K-shell emission evidently belonging to emission of warm dense matter (WDM) state. The upper estimate for the electron temperature in WDM region was found to be below 80 eV.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a well-accepted diagnostic for experimental studies of warm dense matter. It requires a short-lived X-ray source of sufficiently high emissivity and without characteristic lines in the spectral range of interest. In the present work, we discuss how to choose an optimum material and thickness to get a bright source in the wavelength range 2 Å-6 Å (∼2 keV to 6 keV) by considering relatively low-Z elements. We demonstrate that the highest emissivity of solid aluminum and silicon foil targets irradiated with a 1-ps high-contrast sub-kJ laser pulse is achieved when the target thickness is close to 10 μm. An outer plastic layer can increase the emissivity even further.

High power laser systems are an attractive driver for compact energetic ion sources. We demonstrate repetitive acceleration at 0.1 Hz of proton beams up to 40 MeV from a reeled tape target irradiated by ultra-high intensities up to 5 × 1021 Wcm − 2 and laser energies ≈ 15 J using the J-KAREN-P laser system. We investigate the stability of the source and its behaviour with laser spot focal size. We compare the scaling of proton energy with laser energy to a recently developed analytical model, and also demonstrate that it is possible to reach energies up to 50 MeV on a single shot with a lower laser energy ≈ 10 J by using a thinner target, motivating development of high repetition targetry suitable for thinner targets.

High resolution X-ray imaging is crucial for many high energy density physics (HEDP) experiments. Recently developed techniques to improve resolution have, however, come at the cost of a decreased field of view. In this paper, an innovative experimental detector for X-ray imaging in the context of HEDP experiments with high spatial resolution, as well as a large field of view, is presented. The platform is based on coupling an X-ray backligther source with a Lithium Fluoride detector, characterized by its large dynamic range. A spatial resolution of 2 µm over a field of view greater than 2 mm2 is reported. The platform was benchmarked with both an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and an X-ray source produced by a short pulse laser. First, using a non-coherent short pulse laser-produced backlighter, reduced penumbra blurring, as a result of the large size of the X-ray source, is shown. Secondly, we demonstrate phase contrast imaging with a fully coherent monochromatic XFEL beam. Modeling of the absorption and phase contrast transmission of X-ray radiation passing through various targets is presented.

We irradiated soft X-ray laser pulses onto aluminum film targets, which were evaporated on silicon and lithium fluoride substrates. After laser irradiation, we observed irradiated surfaces and confirmed damage with nanometer scale-modified structures. These damage structures were the same as those formed on the aluminum bulk surface. In this article, we discuss a possibility of the growth process of damage structures on the Al surface based on the experimental results.

We present new diagnostics for use in optical laser pump - X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) probe experiments to monitor dimensions, intensity profile and focusability of the XFEL beam and to control initial quality and homogeneity of targets to be driven by optical laser pulse. By developing X-ray imaging, based on the use of an LiF crystal detector, we were able to measure the distribution of energy inside a hard X-ray beam with unprecedented high spatial resolution (∼1 μm) and across a field of view larger than some millimetres. This diagnostic can be used in situ, provides a very high dynamic range, has an extremely limited cost, and is relatively easy to be implemented in pump-probe experiments. The proposed methods were successfully applied in pump-probe experiments at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) XFEL facility and its potential was demonstrated for current and future High Energy Density Science experiments.We present new diagnostics for use in optical laser pump - X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) probe experiments to monitor dimensions, intensity profile and focusability of the XFEL beam and to control initial quality and homogeneity of targets to be driven by optical laser pulse. By developing X-ray imaging, based on the use of an LiF crystal detector, we were able to measure the distribution of energy inside a hard X-ray beam with unprecedented high spatial resolution (∼1 μm) and across a field of view larger than some millimetres. This diagnostic can be used in situ, provides a very high dynamic range, has an extremely limited cost, and is relatively easy to be implemented in pump-probe experiments. The proposed methods were successfully applied in pump-probe experiments at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) XFEL facility and its potential was demonstrated for current and future High Energy Density Science experiments.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is proposed as a method for studying the heating of solid-density matter excited by secondary X-ray radiation from a relativistic laser-produced plasma. The method was developed and applied to experiments involving thin silicon foils irradiated by 0.5–1.5 ps duration ultrahigh contrast laser pulses at intensities between 0.5 × 1020 and 2.5 × 1020 W∕cm2. The electron temperature of the material at the rear side of the target is estimated to be in the range of 140–300 eV. The diagnostic approach enables the study of warm dense matter states with low self-emissivity.

We present the progress on the upgrade status of the J-KAREN-P , which is a Ti: Sapphire laser aiming at the intensity of 1022 W/cm2 at the repetition rate of 0.1 Hz. The upgrade includes two pilot experiments in order to show the laser performance on target. The first experiment is to generate high-energy ions from thin-foil target. The second experiment is the high-order harmonic at a relativistic intensity. Currently, laser acceleration of protons is being tested and we have obtained 32 MeV protons from a 5-µm stainless steel target irradiated by a 14-J, 30-fs laser pulse. In addition, a joint program toward compact X-ray free-electron laser based on laser electron acceleration is presented briefly and the corresponding J-KAREN-P work is presented.

This paper reviews recent progress made in the development of coherent x-ray sources and their applications in material science and laser processing in the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST). The upgrade of Ti:Sapphire laser for a grazing incidence pumping (GRIP) scheme was started, to further develop a coherent x-ray source. Investigating the applications of x-ray lasers, we observed temporal evolution of metal surface ablation using an x-ray laser probe, and the damage to an EUV mirror structure by the x-ray pulse irradiation.

The physics of compressible turbulence in high energy density (HED) plasmas is an unchartered experimental area. Simulations of compressible and radiative flows relevant for astrophysics rely mainly on subscale parameters. Therefore, we plan to perform turbulent hydrodynamics experiments in HED plasmas (TurboHEDP) in order to improve our understanding of such important phenomena for interest in both communities: laser plasma physics and astrophysics. We will focus on the physics of supernovae remnants which are complex structures subject to fluid instabilities such as the Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities. The advent of megajoule laser facilities, like the National Ignition Facility and the Laser Megajoule, creates novel opportunities in laboratory astrophysics, as it provides unique platforms to study turbulent mixing flows in HED plasmas. Indeed, the physics requires accelerating targets over larger distances and longer time periods than previously achieved. In a preparatory phase, scaling from experiments at lower laser energies is used to guarantee the performance of future MJ experiments. This subscale experiments allow us to develop experimental skills and numerical tools in this new field of research, and are stepping stones to achieve our objectives on larger laser facilities. We review first in this paper recent advances in high energy density experiments devoted to laboratory astrophysics. Then we describe the necessary steps forward to commission an experimental platform devoted to turbulent hydrodynamics on a megajoule laser facility. Recent novel experimental results acquired on LULI2000, as well as supporting radiative hydrodynamics simulations, are presented. Together with the development of LiF detectors as transformative X-ray diagnostics, these preliminary results are promising on the way to achieve micrometric spatial resolution in turbulent HED physics experiments in the near future.

We modified a soft X-ray laser (SXRL) interferometer synchronized with a Ti:sapphire laser to observe a single-shot image of the nanoscale structure dynamics of materials induced by an optical laser pulse. The lateral resolution on the sample surface was improved to 0.7 μm using precise imaging optics. Using this system, we succeeded in observing thin film structures above the solid (or liquid) surface in the femtosecond laser ablation process of metals (Au). The thin film worked as soft X-ray beam splitter. This result shows a thin film was smooth and dense (with a roughness of a few nanometers and near sold density). Furthermore, it gave rise to the possibility of generating novel transient soft X-ray optics .

Spatial structures of ablative mass flow produced by femtosecond laser pulses are studied. In experiments with a gold film, the Ti:sapp laser pulse having a focal size of 100 microns on a target was used, while a soft X-ray probe pulse was utilized for diagnostics. The experimental data are compared with simulated mass flows obtained by two-temperature hydrodynamics and molecular dynamics methods. Simulation shows evolution of a thin surface layer pressurized after electron–ion thermalization, which leads to melting, cavitation and formation of spallation liquid layer. The calculated asymptotic surface velocity of this layer as a function of fluence is in reasonably good agreement with experimental data.

Summary In this paper, the use of lithium fluoride (LiF) as imaging radiation detector to analyse living cells by single-shot soft X-ray contact microscopy is presented. High resolved X-ray images on LiF of cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya VRUC135, two unicellular microalgae of the genus Chlamydomonas and mouse macrophage cells (line RAW 264.7) have been obtainedutilizingX-rayradiationinthewaterwindowenergy rangefromalaserplasmasource.Theusedmethodisbasedon loading of the samples, the cell suspension, in a special holder wheretheyareinclosecontactwithaLiFcrystalsolid-stateXrayimagingdetector.Afterexposureandsampleremoval,the imagesstoredinLiFbythesoftX-raycontactmicroscopytechniquearereadbyanopticalmicroscopeinfluorescencemode. The clear image of the mucilaginous sheath the structure of the filamentous Leptolyngbya and the visible nucleolus in the macrophage cells image, are noteworthiness results. The peculiaritiesoftheusedX-rayradiationandoftheLiFimaging detectorallowobtainingimagesinabsorptioncontrastrevealing the internal structures of the investigated samples at high spatialresolution.Moreover,thewidedynamicrangeoftheLiF imagingdetectorcontributestoobtainhigh-qualityimages.In particular, we demonstrate that this peculiar characteristic of LiF detector allows enhancing the contrast and reveal details even when they were obscured by a nonuniform stray light.

Ultrashort laser pulse is a unique nanometallurgical tool which operates at extreme conditions: ultimate strength of material, the smallest spatiotemporal scales, and nonequlibrium crystallization. Approaches to ultimate strength and to highly nonequlibrium crystallization are tightly coupled with the smallness of spatiotemporal scales. Usage of the tool opens new opportunities to create materials with enhanced surface hardness, anticorrosion properties, and diverted optical constants. To use these advantages we have first of all to develop clear and reliable physical model. The paper presents new results concerning interactions of optical or X-ray lasers with metals. It is shown that ultrashort laser pulse melts surface layer, sends shock into bulk, and foams molten metal. Dense dislocation bilayer is created thanks to fast recrystallization (the first sublayer) and plastic transformations behind strong shock (the second sublayer). Plastic shock generated at moderate laser intensities attenuates sharply during its propagation into metal. During this attenuation, a plastic shock regenerates into a powerful elastic shock. This process defines boundary between the second dislocation sublayer and undamaged solid. Mechanical breaking of foam after its strong stretching and fly away of a part of melt together with fast freezing are responsible for appearance of chaotic frozen nanostructures at an irradiated surface.

A high repetition rate scintillator-based transverse beam profile diagnostic for laser-plasma accelerated proton beams has been designed and commissioned. The proton beam profiler uses differential filtering to provide coarse energy resolution and a flexible design to allow optimisation for expected beam energy range and trade-off between spatial and energy resolution depending on the application. A plastic scintillator detector, imaged with a standard 12-bit scientific camera, allows data to be taken at a high repetition rate. An algorithm encompassing the scintillator non-linearity is described to estimate the proton spectrum at different spatial locations.

We report on the J-KAREN-P laser facility at QST, which can provide PW peak power at 0.1 Hz on target. The system can deliver short pulses with an energy of 30 J and pulse duration of 30 fs after compression with a contrast level of better than 1012. Such performance in high field science will give rise to the birth of new applications and breakthroughs, which include relativistic particle acceleration, bright x-ray source generation, and nuclear activation. The current achieved laser intensity on target is up to > 9x1021 Wcm-2 with an energy of ~9 J on target. The interaction with a 3 to 5- μm stainless steel tape target provides us electrons with a typical temperature of more than 10 MeV and energetic proton beams with typical maximum energies of > 40 MeV with good reproducibility. The protons are accelerated in the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration regime, which is suitable for many applications including as an injector into a beamline for medical use, which is one of our objectives.

We present an overview of our systematic studies of the surface modifications resulting from the interactions of both single and multiple picosecond soft x-ray laser (SXRL) pulses with materials, such as gold (Au), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and lithium fluoride (LiF). We show experimentally the possibility of the precise nanometer size structures (~10–40 nm) formation on their surfaces by ultra-low (~10–30 mJ/cm2 ) fluencies of single picosecond SXRL pulse. Comparison experimental results with the atomistic model of ablation, which was developed for the single SXRL shot interaction with dielectrics and metals, is provided. Theoretical description of surface nanostructures is considered and is shown that such structures are formed after laser illumination in a process of mechanical spallation of ultrathin surface layer of molten metal. Spallation is accompanied by a strong foaming of melt, breaking of foam, and freezing of foam remnants. Those remnants form chaotic nanostructures, which are observed in experiments. Our measurements show that electron temperature of matter under irradiation of SXRL was lower than 1 eV. The model calculation also predicts that the ablation induced by the SXRL can create the significant low electron temperature. Our results demonstrate that tensile stress created in LiF and metals by short SXRL pulse can produce spallative ablation of target even for drastically small fluencies, which open new opportunities for material nano processing.

The possibility is discussed of using optical laser radiation with an intensity of W cm to create an ultraintense X-ray source capable of producing polychromatic radiation with a power flux of W cm or higher. X-ray radiation of so high an intensity permits not only transforming a condensed matter of the target into a plasma state but also obtaining an exotic plasma state with a high density of hollow ions. Currently not yet in wide use and available in only a few laboratories in the world, lasers with a radiation intensity of about W cm are more compact and less expensive than free-electron X-ray lasers or lasers used for the indirect heating of fusion targets. The source under discussion can produce by far higher X-ray intensities than plasma X-ray lasers of a similar scale.

The shape of the X-ray pulse generated by picosecond laser plasma is experimentally studied. The unusual phenomenon was experimentally observed for the first time for targets made of moderate-heavy chemical elements, namely, the pulse of hard X-ray radiation generated by laser plasma at the laser radiation flux of ~1018 W cm-2 had a longer duration than the pulse of softer X-ray radiation. A simple kinetic model is suggested for explaining this fact. We have suggested a method for controlling the temporal shape of X-ray pulse emitted by laser plasma by varying the contrast of laser pulse.

It is proposed to use a high rate of collisional ionization in a superdense laser plasma to generate incoherent femtosecond X-ray pulses. The calculations indicate that the use of picosecond laser pulses with a contrast of about 1010 will allow the generation of an X-ray pulse with a duration of about 10 fs. The adequacy of the proposed model of the excitation of linear X-ray radiation from the plasma has been tested in the experiments with a picosecond laser of a moderately high contrast.

It was shown (Faenov et al., 2015b) that the energy of femtosecond laser pulses with relativistic intensity approaching to ~1021 W/cm2 is efficiently converted to X-ray radiation and produces exotic states in solid density plasma periphery. We propose and show by one-dimensional two-temperature hydrodynamic modeling, that applying two such unique ultra-bright X-ray sources with intensities above 1017 W/cm2 – allow to generate shock waves with strength of up to some hundreds Mbar, which could give new opportunities for studies of matter in extreme conditions.

Understanding the physics of laser-matter interactions in ultrashort pulses is important for many well-acknowledged applications from material modifications to biology. We numerically and experimentally consider the effect of sub-picosecond Ti:sapp laser actions on 60-100 nm gold films mounted onto a fused silica substrate. The pulse energy is sufficient to ablate the films. For the first time, we show that there are different regimes of ablation, and the formation of the 3D structures depends on the value of the absorbed fluence Fabs and the adhesion strength padh between the film and the substrate. Namely, a delamination threshold Fdelam and an ablation threshold Fabl (Fdelam < Fabl) exist if adhesion is weak. Above the lower threshold Fdelam, the whole film delaminates from the substrate. Above the higher threshold Fabl, the thin film ruptures near its middle plane. The external half of the film flies away, while the internal half remains on the glass substrate. There are two thresholds Fdelam and Fabl...

N. J. Hartley, N. Ozaki, T. Matsuoka, B. Albertazzi, A. Faenov, Y. Fujimoto, H. Habara, M. Harmand, Y. Inubushi, T. Katayama, M. Koenig, A. Krygier, P. Mabey, Y. Matsumura, S. Matsuyama, E. E. McBride, K. Miyanishi, G. Morard, T. Okuchi, T. Pikuz, O. Sakata, Y. Sano, T. Sato, T. Sekine, Y. Seto, K. Takahashi, K. A. Tanaka, Y. Tange, T. Togashi, Y. Umeda, T. Vinci, M. Yabashi, T. Yabuuchi, K. Yamauchi, and R. Kodama , "Ultrafast observation of lattice dynamics in laser-irradiated gold foils", Appl. Phys. Lett. 110, 071905 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4976541., We have observed the lattice expansion before the onset of compression in an optical-laser-driven target, using diffraction of femtosecond X-ray beams generated by the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free-electron Laser. The change in diffraction angle provides a direct measure of the lattice spacing, allowing the density to be calculated with a precision of ±1%. From the known equation of state relations, this allows an estimation of the temperature responsible for the expansion as

A short review of our experimental studies on generation of photon and particle beams in submicron clusters irradiated by intense, high-contrast (similar to 10(8-)10(10)) femtosecond laser pulses is presented. It is shown that highly-efficient laser-cluster interaction allows creating bright sources of X-ray, high-energy electron and ion beams. The examples of applications of femtosecond-laser-produced cluster plasmas (FLPCP) for X-ray and ion beams radiography are presented.

A device for evaluating the spatial resolution of a neutron imaging system was developed. Using laser processes, line- pair patterns were fabricated on a 0.005-mm-thick Gd film evaporated on a glass plate. Large line pairs of widths ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm were machined using an Nd:YVO 4 laser (0.03 mm spot size) and displayed on a brightness field, while small line pairs of widths ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 mm were created using an eximer laser on a dark field. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation determined that, although the large line pairs machined using the Nd:YVO 4 laser were chipped on the corners of the Gd bars, the difference between the measured and designed line- pair widths was controlled absolutely within 0.02 mm. In the small line pairs of less than 0.1 mm width processed using the eximer laser, edges sharper than those of the large line pairs were formed. In neutron imaging tests using a LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillator and a CCD camera system, good contrast images were obtained with the brightness field, even at 0.005 mm thickness. The small line pairs on the dark field were observed using a LiF single crystal detector having an ultra-high spatial resolution of approximately 0.005 mm. Splits in the small line pairs of as little as 0.01 mm wide were shown with good contrast on the images.

The spectrum variation and the coherent properties of the high-order harmonics (HOH) generated by an oscillating electron spikes formed at the joint of the boundaries of a cavity and a bow wave, which are created by a relativistically self-focusing laser in underdense gas jet plasma, are investigated. This new mechanism for HOH generation efficiently produces emission from ultraviolet up to the XUV “water window” spectral range. To characterize such source in the wide spectral range a diffraction imaging technique is applied. High spatial resolution EUV and soft X-ray LiF film detector have been used for precise measurements of diffraction patterns. The measurements under observation angle of 8° to the axis of laser beam propagation have been performed. The diffraction patterns were observed on the detector clearly, when the square mesh was placed at the distance of 500 mm from the output of plasma and at the distance of 27.2 mm in front of the detector. It is shown that observed experimental patterns are well consistent with modeled ones for theoretical HOH spectrum, provided by particle-in-cell simulations of a relativistic-irradiance laser pulse interaction with underdense plasma (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The monochromatic soft X-ray femtosecond pulses of the Free Electron Laser (FEL) with wavelengths of 17.2-61.5 nm were applied for measurements of optical features of point defects photoluminescence in LiF crystals. It was observed that peak of photoluminescence spectra appears near 530 nm and is associated with emission of F3+ centers. Our results suggest that a shortening of the applied laser pulses down to pico - or femtosecond duration causes redistribution of photolumi-nescence peak intensity from the red to the green part of the spectra and does not depend on the energy of EUV or X-ray photons. Dependence of peak intensity of photoluminescence spectra on the fluence of FEL radiation was measured. Even for relatively high fluencies a quenching phenomenon was not observed.

To study the interactions between picosecond soft x-ray laser (SXRL) beams and material surfaces, gold (Au), copper (Cu), and silicon (Si) surfaces were irradiated with SXRL pulses having a wavelength of 13.9 nm and a duration of ∼7 ps. Following irradiation, the surfaces of the substrates were observed using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. With single pulse irradiation, ripple-like structures were formed on the Au and Cu surfaces. These structures were different from previously investigated conical structures formed on an Al surface. In addition, it was confirmed that the development of modified structures, i.e., growth of hillocks on the Au and Cu surfaces, was observed after multiple SXRL pulse exposures. However, on the Si surface, deep holes that seemed to be melted structures induced by the accumulation of multiple pulses of irradiations were found. Therefore, it was concluded that SXRL beam irradiation of various material surfaces causes different types of surface modifications, and the changes in the surface behaviors are attributed to the differences in the elemental properties, such as the attenuation length of x-ray photons.

It is shown that various spectroscopic methods based on measurements of X-ray spectra radiated from cluster targets can be used for estimation of the destruction degree of clusters by laser prepulses. These methods allow insight to be gained regarding the important issue of preservation of the dense cluster core at the moment of the arrival of the main laser pulse. In addition, they can be used for quantitative estimation of the size of the undestroyed parts of the clusters and also for measuring the temperature and density of the preplasmas produced by the laser prepulses.

The results of the recent experiments focused on study of x-ray radiation from multicharged plasmas irradiated by relativistic (I > 1019 W/cm2) sub-ps laser pulses on Leopard laser facility at NTF/UNR are presented. These shots were done under different experimental conditions related to laser pulse and contrast. In particular, the duration of the laser pulse was 350 fs or 0.8 ns and the contrast was varied from high (10−7) to moderate (10−5). The thin laser targets (from 4 to 750 μm) made of a broad range of materials (from Teflon to iron and molybden to tungsten and gold) were utilized. Using the x-ray diagnostics including the high-precision spectrometer with resolution R ∼ 3000 and a survey spectrometer, we have observed unique spectral features that are illustrated in this paper. Specifically, the observed L-shell spectra for Fe targets subject to high intensity lasers (∼1019 W/cm2) indicate electron beams, while at lower intensities (∼1016 W/cm2) or for Cu targets there is much less evidence for an electron beam. In addition, K-shell Mg features with dielectronic satellites from high-Rydberg states, and the new K-shell F features with dielectronic satellites including exotic transitions from hollow ions are highlighted.

Neutron imaging by color center formation in LiF crystals was applied to a sensitivity indicator (SI) as a standard samples for neutron radiography. The SI was exposed to a 5 mm pinhole-collimated thermal neutron beam with an LiF crystal and a neutron imaging plate (NIP) for 120 min in the JRR-3M thermal neutron radiography facility. The image in the LiF crystal was read out using a laser confocal microscope. All gaps were clearly observed in images for both the LiF crystal and the NIP. The experimental results showed that LiF crystals have excellent characteristics as neutron imaging detectors in areas such as high spatial resolution.

The interaction of radiation of a picosecond X-ray laser (wavelength λ = 13.9 nm) with targets made of a thick gold film has been studied theoretically and experimentally. It has been shown experimentally that the action of individual X-ray laser pulses with a fluence of F ≈ 21 mJ/cm2 initiates the nanostructuring of the gold surface. Explicitly taking into account the electron subsystem, we have proposed an atomistic model of ablation that makes it possible to adequately describe the experimental results. The atomistic simulation involves the ion-ion potential depending on the electron temperature T e . The use of such a potential makes it possible to take into account an increase in the pressure in the system with increasing T e and to reveal two laser ablation mechanisms.

At the Kansai Photon Science Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, we have developed a Compton backscattered X-ray source in the energy region of a few hundred keV. The X-ray source consists of a 150-MeV electron beam, with a pulse duration of 10 ps (rms), accelerated by a Microtron accelerator and an Nd:YAG laser, with a pulse duration of 10 ns (FWHM). In the first trial experiment, the X-ray flux is estimated to be (2.2±1.0)×10 2 photons/pulse. For the actual application of an X-ray source, it is important to increase the generated X-ray flux as much as possible. Thus, for the purpose of increasing the X-ray flux, we have developed the pulse compression system for the Nd:YAG laser via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). The SBS pulse compression has the great advantages of a high conversion efficiency and a simple structure. In this article, we review the present status of the Compton backscattered X-ray source and describe the SBS pulse compression system.

Laser-matter interaction is defined by an electronic band structure of condensed matter and frequency ωL of electromagnetic radiation. In the range of moderate fluences, the energy absorbed by electrons from radiation finally thermalizes in the ion thermal energy. The thermalization processes are different for optical as compared with X-ray quanta and for metals relative to semiconductors and dielectrics, since the light absorption and electron-electron, electron-ion dynamics are sensitive to the electron population in a conduction band and the width of a forbidden gap. Although the thermalization processes are different, the final state is simply a heated matter. Laser heating creates powerful stresses in a target if duration of a laser pulse τL is short in acoustic time scale. Nucleation and material removal take place under such stresses. Such way of removal is called here the spallative ablation. Thus the spallative ablation is an ablation mechanism universally important for qualitatively different materials and quanta. c

We study the charcteristics of X-ray radiation of a laser plasma generated in the interaction of a femtosecond pulse with solid targets in an air medium and conside the possibility of using it for radiography. We show that the mechanism for generating X-ray radiation in the interaction of short, powerful laser pulses with solid targets in a gas atmosphere is related to the generation of fast electrons in the gas breakdown region. We prove experimentally that under such conditions, even under relatively low laser radiation densities

Demonstration of neutron imaging by color center formation in LiF crystals is reported. Neutron radiography images of various objects, including thin Au wires, Cd plates, Gd plates and thin liquid tubes, have been recorded. The data show that neutron imaging with LiF has many excellent properties: high spatial resolution of 5.4 μm, little granular noises, good linearity and large dynamic range. The high resolution neutron imaging with LiF will be useful for various applications such as quantitative characterizations of neutron sources and electric devices, comprising of low-Z elements such as Li-ion batteries and fuel cells.

The characteristics of X rays of a laser plasma generated in the interaction of a femtosecond pulse with solid targets in an air atmosphere have been investigated. It has been shown that the mechanism for the generation of X rays in the interaction of short intense laser pulses with solid targets in a gas atmosphere is attributed to the generation of fast electrons in the region of the filamentation of a laser pulse. It has been proven experimentally that under such conditions, the solid target irradiated by laser radiation of even a low density of about 1015 W/cm2 very efficiently emits ∼10-keV photons. It has been shown theoretically that the maximum energy of accelerated electrons can reach ɛmax ∼ 100–200 keV under these conditions. This means that the proposed method can provide characteristic radiation with the energy of photons much higher than 10 keV.

K-shell emission from copper target was observed by focusing femtosecond laser pulses very close to the target surface-air interface. It was shown that mechanism of X-ray emission is connected with generation of fast electrons in the air plasma area. Experiments demonstrated that moderate intensity of laser radiation (IL 15 W/cm2) was enough to produce considerable flux of X-ray photons of at least 10 keV energy. The parameters of generated X-ray emission were studied. It was found that after propagation through 40 cm thick air layer X-ray spectra consisted of pronounced Kα and Kβ characteristic lines and relatively small Bremsstrahlung continuum. Since transversal source size has an order of a few tens of micrometers, such a source can be used for absorption imaging of micro-objects in standard laboratory conditions. That can be particularly important for diagnostic of medical and biological samples in vivo.

An improved high luminosity, easily spectrally tunable backlighting scheme based on a spherically bent crystal is considered in this paper. Contrary to the traditional backlighting scheme, we used crystal far from normal incidence, and the backlighter source was inside the Rowland circle. With the presented configuration, we obtained a spatial resolution up to 8 µm in the desired direction with an X-ray backlighting energy close to 5 keV. Detailed discussions and ray-tracing calculations show that with this convenient scheme resolution down to 5 µm can be achieved. A dedicated application to high energy density physics is presented: the radiography of shock compressed matter.

We present the results of experiments on the generation of both high and low frequency electromagnetic radiation from the nonlinear interaction of intense laser beams with underdense plasmas. High frequency radiation is generated as a result of the reflection of a near-infrared laser beam by breaking plasma waves. In the proof-of-principle experiment, a 2 TW, 76 fs Ti:sapphire laser pulse was focused to generate wake waves, and a ~0.1 TW laser pulse was focused to collide with the electron density modulations. Frequencies of the reflected light were 56–110 times higher than that of the initial laser. The estimated number of photons per solid angle was 3×107 photons/sr. Low frequency radiation is emitted by the plasma as well. We found that the polarization of the radiation was similar to that of the driver laser. These properties are in accordance with the generation mechanism by relativistic solitons.

Bright source of soft X-ray emission was developed. Soft X-ray radiation was produced by femtosecond laser pulses irradiation of submicron size CO2 clusters. These clusters were produced in custom designed supersonic nozzle from the mixture of the 10% CO2 +90 % He expanding gases. Lithium fluorine based soft X-ray detectors was used for registration of absorption images of ultrathin (nanoscale) foils and biological structures illuminated by the developed source. It was demonstrated that even ifthe foil is essentially transparent for the soft X-ray radiation (like 100 nm thick Zr foil), the image contrast could be significantly increased due to the influence of propagation-based phase-contrast effect when detector is placed at the proper distance behind the sample (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A novel type of submicron ion radiography designed to image low-contrast objects, including nanofoils, membranes and biological structures, is proposed. It is based on femtosecond–laser-driven-cluster- plasma source of multicharged ions and polymer dosimeter film CR-39. The intense isotropic ion flow was produced by femtosecond Ti:Sa laser pulses with intensity ∼ 4x1017 W/cm2 absorbed in the supersonic jet of the mixed He and CO2 gases. Two Focusing Spectrometers with Spatial Resolution (FSSR) were used to measure X-ray spectra of H-and He-like multicharged oxygen ions. The spectra testify that ions with energy more than 300 keV were radiated in different directions from the plasma source. High contrast ion radiography images were obtained for 2000 dpi metal mesh, 1 μm polypropylene and 100 nm Zr foils as well as for the different biological objects. Images were recorded on a 1 mm thick CR-39 detector, placed in contact with back surface of the imaged samples at the distances 140 -160 mm from the ion source. The spatial resolution of the image no worse than 600 nm was provided. A difference in object thickness of 100 nm was very well resolved for both Zr and polymer foils. The ion radiography images recorded at different angles from the source, demonstrated almost uniform spatial distribution of ion with total number of 108 per shot (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of ablation of LiF crystal by X-ray beam having photons with 89.3 eV and very short duration of pulse τ = 7 ps are presented. It is found that the crater is formed for fluences above the threshold Fabl ≈ 10mJ/cm2. Such a small threshold is one order of magnitude less than the one obtained for X-ray ablation by longer (nanoseconds) pulses. The theory explains this dramatic difference as a transition from more energy-consuming evaporative ablation to spallative ablation, when the pulse duration decreases from ns tops time ranges. Previously, the spallative mechanism of ablation was exclusively attributed to removal of target materials of metal and semiconductor by the short laser pulses with optical photons ∼ 1eV. We demonstrate that tensile stress created in dielectrics by short X-ray pulse can produce spallative ablation of target even for drastically small X-ray fluences (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)