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Abstract:

Simulated EXAFS signals from ab initio models and configurational averaging of molecular dynamics (MD) data are compared for ¦Á-Fe, and configurationally averaged MD EXAFS signals are compared with experimental data for iron shock compressed to pressures above the ¦Á-¦Å{lunate} transition pressure. It is shown that molecular dynamics potentials and ab initio models capable of recreating similar vibrational density of states lead to EXAFS signals in good mutual agreement. The effects of the classical nature of the phonon distribution in the MD and the anharmonicity of the potential give rise to noticeable differences between ab initio models and configurational averaging of MD data. However, the greatest influence on the spectra is the form of the potential itself. We discuss the importance of these effects in simulating EXAFS spectra for shock compressed polycrystalline iron. It is shown that EXAFS is an insensitive probe for determining the nature of the close packed product phase in this system. ? 2009 Elsevier B.V.

Abstract:

Recent progress in Laser Plasma Accelerators has demonstrated the possibility of generating GeV electron bunches with very interesting beam qualities. It is now conceivable that the further development of such devices could generate beams with emittance, energy spread and peak current suitable for FEL operation in the XUV range with relatively short undulator trains. In this context the OPALS project aims at the construction of a XUV radiation source, driven by a Laser Plasma Accelerator, capable of generating ultrashort fs XUV pulses. Such a source is small enough to be hosted in an academic or industrial institution and could therefore have a major impact on time-resolved science.