Using X-ray Thomson Scattering to Measure Plasma Conditions in Warm Dense Matter Experiments on the OMEGA Laser

Using X-ray Thomson Scattering to Measure Plasma Conditions in Warm Dense Matter Experiments on the OMEGA Laser PDF Author: Alison Marie-Anne Saunders
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 143

Book Description
High energy density physics (HEDP) is an emerging field that seeks to investigate the properties of matter at extreme conditions. High energy density conditions occur in materials with pressures exceeding 1 Mbar, or pressures that exceed Earth’s atmospheric pressure by a factor of more than a million. A regime of HEDP of particular interest is warm dense matter (WDM) physics, which describes the behavior of materials at near solid densities and 10’s of eV temperatures. WDM occurs in astrophysical objects, such as giant planets and brown dwarfs, and is also generated in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. X-ray Thomson scattering (XRTS) offers a powerful tool to probe the equation of state of WDM. XRTS spectra consist of two components: elastically scattered photons with the frequency of the original x-ray source and inelastically scattered photons that are down- shifted in frequency. The Compton-shifted profile of inelastically scattered x-rays can be analyzed to return the sample’s electron density and electron temperature. The ratio of elastically to inelastically scattered x-rays relates to the number of tightly bound versus free electrons, and thus reflects the ionization state. This thesis discusses the results of XRTS experiments on WDM performed at the OMEGA Laser facility. The first experiment presents and discusses XRTS results from 1 mm diamond spheres. The scattering spectra show evidence of higher ionization than predicted by several commonly-applied ionization models. A second experiment analyzed the contributions to elastic scattering from a small argon impurity in imploding beryllium capsules. The exper- iment found that less than 1 at.% of argon significantly affects the elastic scattering signal strength, and concluded that impurities in a sample should be considered before drawing conclusions from elastic scattering signals. The final experiment uses XRTS to measure the electron temperature and ionization state in isochorically heated materials used in ion stopping power experiments. The results from these experiments demonstrate the power of XRTS to measure ionization in WDM to benchmark theoretical modeling.

Using Collective X-ray Thomson Scattering to Measure Temperature and Density of Warm Dense Matter

Using Collective X-ray Thomson Scattering to Measure Temperature and Density of Warm Dense Matter PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 11

Book Description
Collective x-ray Thomson scattering allows measuring plasmons, i.e electron plasma oscillations (Langmuir waves). This is manifest in the appearance of spectrally up- and down-shifted spectral features in addition to the Rayleigh signal. The ratio of the up- and down-shifted signals is directly related to detailed balance, allowing to determine the plasma temperature from first principles. The spectral shift of the plasmon signals is sensitive to temperature and electron density. We discuss the experimental considerations that have to be fulfilled to observe plasmon signals with x-ray Thomson scattering. As an example, we describe an experiment that used the Cl Ly-[alpha] x-ray line at 2.96 keV to measure collective Thomson scattering from solid beryllium, isochorically heated to 18 eV. Since temperature measurement based on detailed balance is based on first principles, this method is important to validate models that, for example, calculate the static ion-ion structure factor S{sub ii}(k).

X-ray Thomson Scattering from Dense Plasmas

X-ray Thomson Scattering from Dense Plasmas PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4

Book Description
Advances in the development of laser-produced x-ray sources have enabled a new class of high-energy density physics experiments. Powerful narrow-bandwidth x rays penetrate through short-lived hot dense states of matter and probe the physical properties with spectrally resolved x-ray scattering. Experiments from isochorically-heated plasmas with electron densities in the range of solid density and above have been demonstrated allowing for the first time exploration of the microscopic properties of dense matter regime close to strongly-coupled and Fermi degenerate conditions. Backscatter measurements have accessed the non-collective Compton scattering regime, which provides accurate diagnostic information on the temperature, density and ionization states. The forward scattering spectrum has been shown to measure the collective plasmon oscillations. Besides extracting the standard plasma parameters, density and temperature, forward scattering yields new observables such as a direct measure of collisions, quantum effects and detailed balance. In this talk, we will discuss new results important for applications of this technique for novel experiments in a wide range of research areas such as inertial confinement fusion, radiation-hydrodynamics, material science, and laboratory astrophysics.

Advanced Diagnostics for Magnetic and Inertial Fusion

Advanced Diagnostics for Magnetic and Inertial Fusion PDF Author: Peter E. Stott
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441986960
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449

Book Description
Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Diagnostics for Magnetic and Inertial Fusion, held September 3-7, 2001 at Villa Monastero, Varenna, Italy. This volume focuses on future diagnostic requirements for fusion energy research emphasizing advanced diagnostics, new techniques and areas where further progress is required.

Plasma Scattering of Electromagnetic Radiation

Plasma Scattering of Electromagnetic Radiation PDF Author: John Sheffield
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080952038
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 512

Book Description
This work presents one of the most powerful methods of plasma diagnosis in exquisite detail, to guide researchers in the theory and measurement techniques of light scattering in plasmas. Light scattering in plasmas is essential in the research and development of fusion energy, environmental solutions, and electronics. Referred to as the "Bible" by researchers, the work encompasses fusion and industrial applications essential in plasma research. It is the only comprehensive resource specific to the plasma scattering technique. It provides a wide-range of experimental examples and discussion of their principles with worked examples to assist researchers in applying the theory. Computing techniques for solving basic equations helps researchers compare data to the actual experiment New material on advances on the experimental side, such as the application of high density plasmas of inertial fusion Worked out examples of the scattering technique for easier comprehension of theory

Demonstration of Successful X-ray Thomson Scattering Using Picosecond K-[alpha] X-ray Sources for the Characterization of Dense Heated Matter

Demonstration of Successful X-ray Thomson Scattering Using Picosecond K-[alpha] X-ray Sources for the Characterization of Dense Heated Matter PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 5

Book Description
We discuss the first successful K-[alpha] x-ray Thomson scattering experiment from solid density plasmas for use as a diagnostic in determining the temperature, density, and ionization state of warm dense matter with picosecond resolution. The development of this source as a diagnostic and stringent requirements for successful K-[alpha] x-ray Thomson scattering are addressed. Data for the experimental techniques described in this paper [1] suggest the capability of single shot characterization of warm dense matter and the ability to use this scattering source at future Free Electron Lasers (FEL) where comparable scattering signal levels are predicted.

Warm, Dense Plasma Characterization by X-ray Thomson Scattering

Warm, Dense Plasma Characterization by X-ray Thomson Scattering PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

Book Description
We describe how the powerful technique of spectrally resolved Thomson scattering can be extended to the x-ray regime, for direct measurements of the ionization state, density, temperature, and the microscopic behavior of dense cool plasmas. Such a direct measurement of microscopic parameters of solid density plasmas could eventually be used to properly interpret laboratory measurements of material properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity, EUS and opacity. In addition, x-ray Thomson scattering will provide new information on the characteristics of rarely and hitherto difficult to diagnose Fermi degenerate and strongly coupled plasmas.

Temperature Determination in X-Ray Laser Plasmas by Thomson Scattering

Temperature Determination in X-Ray Laser Plasmas by Thomson Scattering PDF Author: D. M. Villeneuve
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 4

Book Description
Thomson scattering diagnostics were used to measure electron and ion temperatures in plasmas similar to those used for x-ray lasers. These measurements were compared with predictions of a hydrodynamic simulation. Experimental measurements which can test the accuracy of the codes' predictions can be used to 'calibrate' the codes, and hence lead to either code improvements or an increased confidence in the codes' accuracy. Experiments were performed with plasmas produced from a laser spot focused on solid targets of carbon, germanium and tantalum. The electron temperature could be measured as a function of time at different locations in the plasma, for various laser intensities.

Characterization of High-Temperature Laser-Produced Plasmas Using Thomson Scattering

Characterization of High-Temperature Laser-Produced Plasmas Using Thomson Scattering PDF Author: S. Ross
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

Book Description
Ultraviolet Thomson scattering has been fielded at the Omega Laser Facility to achieve accurate measurements of the plasma conditions in laser-produced high-temperature plasmas. Recent applications to hohlraum targets that have been filled with CH gas or SiO{sub 2} foams have demonstrated a new high temperature plasma regime of importance to laser-plasma interaction studies in a strongly damped regime such as those occurring in indirect drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. The Thomson scattering spectra show the collective ion acoustic features that fit the theory for two ion species plasmas and from which we infer the electron and ion temperature. We find that the electron temperature scales from 2-4 keV when increasing the heater beam energy into the hohlraum from 8-17 kJ, respectively. Simultaneous measurements of the stimulated Raman scattering from a green 527 nm interaction beam show that the reflectivity decreases from 20% to 1% indicating that this instability is strongly damped at high temperatures. These findings support green laser beams as possible driver option for laser-driven fusion experiments.

Soft X-Ray Thomson Scattering in Warm Dense Hydrogen at FLASH.

Soft X-Ray Thomson Scattering in Warm Dense Hydrogen at FLASH. PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 11

Book Description
We present collective Thomson scattering with soft x-ray free electron laser radiation as a method to track the evolution of warm dense matter plasmas with ≈200 fs time resolution. In a pump-probe scheme an 800 nm laser heats a 20 [mu]m hydrogen droplet to the plasma state. After a variable time delay in the order of ps the plasma is probed by an x-ray ultra violet (XUV) pulse which scatters from the target and is recorded spectrally. Alternatively, in a self-Thomson scattering experiment, a single XUV pulse heats the target while a portion of its photons are being scattered probing the target. From such inelastic x-ray scattering spectra free electron temperature and density can be inferred giving insight on relaxation time scales in plasmas as well as the equation of state. We prove the feasibility of this method in the XUV range utilizing the free electron laser facility in Hamburg, FLASH. We recorded Thomson scattering spectra for hydrogen plasma, both in the self-scattering and in the pump-probe mode using optical laser heating.