High-resolution monochromatic X-ray imaging of extended plasma columns

An X-ray imaging analyzer has been used to produce time-resolved one-dimensional images of long, highly-ionized aluminum plasma columns. Several imaging schemes are briefly discussed and the scheme adopted is based on a focusing Johann geometry with a spherically bent crystal and a slit on the Rowland circle. The homogeneity of laser-produced plasma columns with lengths up to 40 mm were studied with a temporal resolution of 100 ps. The spatial resolution of the instrument itself is 90 mu m or better; however, it was limited to 150 mu m by the streak camera used. Monochromatic images taken on the resonance He alpha line of Al XII characterize the homogeneity of a plasma generated to study the recombination X-ray laser scheme giving ASE in Al XI.