A three-dimensional ray-tracing code dedicated to x-ray laser amplification simulation

A three-dimensional (3D) ray-tracing code has been developed to simulate the x-ray intensity produced in recent experiments where a silver target was driven by two laser beams. The code is used as a postprocessor of a detailed atomic physics code, which provides emissivities and opacities for inverted transitions. The hydrodynamics of the plasma is calculated with a 1D1/2 hydrocode where transverse profiles of temperature and density follow a self-similar solution. The 3D ray-tracing code accounts for progressive target illumination and calculates the x-ray laser output by solving the eikonal equation. Once 3D paths are determined, a steady-state transport solution is used to calculate the output intensity. The ray-tracing package is discussed first, then the present 3D results are compared with 2D calculations, as well as with collected experimental data. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.