A high-resolution x-ray microscope for laser-driven planar-foil experiments

Abstract

A soft x-ray microscope (E≲3 keV) with high spatial resolution (∼3 μm) has been characterized at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics and used for initial experiments on the Omega laser system [Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)] to study the hydrodynamic stability of directly driven planar foils. The microscope, which is an optimized Kirkpatrick–Baez-type design, is used to obtain four x-ray radiographs of laser-driven foils. Time-resolved images are obtained with either custom-built framing cameras (time resolution ∼80 ps) or by using short-pulse backlighter beams (Δt≲200 ps). In the former case, a spatial resolution of ∼7 μm was obtained (limited by the framing camera), while in the latter case a resolution of ∼3 μm was obtained. This paper details the testing, calibration, and initial use of this microscope in the laboratory and on Omega.