Optimization of a laser plasma x-ray source for ultrafast x-ray absorption spectroscopy

We present optimization of laser plasma x-ray experimental conditions for ultrafast x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements on broad range of transition metal oxides. First, the x-ray flux generated from a laser plasma source was optimized with an emphasis on the Bremsstrahlung by investigating the influence of the angle of the incidence of laser beam on a Cu tape target. The x-ray flux emitted in both the front and transmitted side of the target was found to be optimal at the incident angle of 15 ~ 25 degrees. Moreover the manipulation of the Bremsstrahlung peak energy by the laser focus distribution was discussed. In addition to the source optimization, we present a scheme to find the time-delay zero position in a pump-probe experiment together with a normalization scheme for x-ray source fluctuations. As a feasibility check, we present the transmitted spectra of two materials, Ni and NiO.