Determination of plasma parameters of laser-produced aluminium plasma from x-ray line radiation

Abstract

The important rates for a high-electron-density (\ensuremath{\gtrsim} ${10}^{21}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) aluminium plasma containing ${\mathrm{A}1}^{\mathrm{X}\mathrm{I}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{X}\mathrm{I}\mathrm{V}}$ ions are presented as a function of electron temperature. The collisional excitation rates are calculated in the Coulomb-Born approximation. The effect of electron collisions upon the dielectronic recombination rates is included. The nonlinear set of statistical equilibrium equations for constant electron density and temperature plus the averaged radiation transport equations are solved to give the emitted power density in each line as a function of the angle to the normal to the face of the coin-shaped plasma. Comparison with observations from a laser-produced plasma gives a determination of the average electron density, electron temperature, and physical thickness of the plasma during the time and in the region of maximum radiation.