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Abstract: Enhancement of x-ray emissions from laser-produced plasmas is imperative for various applications. Low-density Au–Gd mixture was proposed to enhance the x-ray emissions. X-ray emissions were simulated for the laser-irradiated gold and Au–Gd mixtures with different initial densities. It was shown that 1.34 times conversion efficiency has been achieved for the Au–Gd mixture comparing with the gold. The enhancement is attributed to higher Rosseland mean opacities of the mixture and reduction of the ion kinetic energy caused by the lower initial density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The K-shell x-ray spectra from the aluminum plasmas generated by the interaction of the 120 TW, 30 fs laser with aluminum targets have been measured by defocusing the laser beam. Laser energy-normalized intensity of the He-a line increases with the laser intensity approximately as a power law [variant_greek_epsilon]∝ILγ with the much smaller exponent of γ=0.062 compared to γ=0.2∼0.5 in the previous experiments, which is caused by the stronger radial thermal diffusivity in the target for the smaller laser spot. Laser-to-He-a line conversion efficiency of up to 1.9×10-3 and as high as about 3×1013 photons/2π Sr aluminum He-a line x-ray source have been achieved for a single shot due to the preplasma effect and relatively large laser spot and energy for the single shot. The x-ray spectra as a function of the laser intensity are also analyzed to get the electron temperature and density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irradiating hohlraum targets with high-power laser pulses is a promising approach to achieve inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Unfortunately, such interaction is accompanied by intense electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). The EMPs can interfere with various physical diagnostic signals and even cause a malfunction of some crucial equipment. In this study, EMPs generated due to kJ-laser coupling with hohlraum targets are recorded using B-dot probes inside the target chamber. The configuration of the hohlraum has a more remarkable effect on EMP amplitudes compared to laser energy. 0.6 mg/cc of He gas filling in the hohlraum and the presence of the capsule inside the hohlraum both dramatically reduce EMPs. Moreover, EMP frequencies corresponding to various hohlraums are basically below 1.75 GHz. Soft X-ray (0.1–4 keV) radiant flux is used to reveal the characteristics of EMPs. The conclusions are expected to enable us to better understand the relationship of EMPs with target configuration and laser energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of x-ray sources from laser-produced plasmas is significant in wide-ranging applications. Solid and foam TiO2 targets were both used to generate bright x-ray sources at the Shenguang-III prototype laser facility, with a total laser power of 3.2 TW. The new foam targets were with an ultra-low initial density of 8.1 mg/cm3 and a high Ti fraction of 33 sat. %. By absolute measurements, the multi-keV x rays of the 4 keV–7 keV band and 1.6 keV–4.4 keV band and the total x rays above 0.1 keV of the foam target have simultaneously shown conversion enhancements of 1.4, 3.1, and 2.3 times, respectively, compared with the solid target. A much larger emission volume and an average electron temperature of 3.2 keV by moving the foci of laser beams inner were obtained for the foam target, providing a good condition for multi-keV x-ray production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-irradiated Au layer with CH foam coating is investigated numerically. It is found that when coated with under-critical density CH foam more thermal radiation is produced, while less radiation is produced when coated with over-critical density CH foam. The under-critical density CH foam coating, which is heated supersonically and volumetrically by lasers, hampers the expansion of high-Z plasma and helps increase the density and temperature of Au plasma in the radiation zone. It is a practical and simple way to increase the laser x-ray conversion efficiency of hohlraum by coated with low-Z foam of under-critical density. This idea is tested with an experiment in an analogous geometry. The line emission from laser-irradiated Ti layer coated with CH foam was measured, and the increment of x-ray when coated with under-critical density CH foam was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]