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Abstract:

We have constructed an ultra-fast time-dependant x-ray diffraction experiment in order to probe laser-induced phase transitions in solids. Such studies have previously been performed using laser probes in the infra-red, visible or ultraviolet spectral range. However, in order to directly probe structures in solids, it is necessary to use x-ray radiation. A laser system producing pulses with a duration of 100 fs has been set-up adjacent to a bending magnet at the Advanced Light Source (ALS). In addition an averaging streak camera with a temporal jitter smaller than 1.5 ps has been incorporated [1]. This diagnostic will permit us to study lattice disordering in materials such as Si. Single-shot measurements were also made using a Kentech streak camera.

Abstract:

The time-integrated x-ray emission from a hot, dense iron plasma has been recorded. The iron plasma was created when a target with a 1000-Å-thick iron layer buried beneath 1000 Å of plastic was irradiated by a 300 fs pulse of 249 nm laser light at an intensity of approximately 1017 W cm-2. Two models have been used to construct a synthetic x-ray spectrum. The first employs detailed, spectroscopically accurate atomic data and the second uses a local thermodynamic equilibrium opacity model. The detailed model shows fairly good agreement with experiment whereas the opacity model only shows agreement in the gross features. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.