Novel scintillator-based x-ray spectrometer for use on high repetition laser plasma interaction experiments

Abstract

The characterisation of x-rays from laser-plasma interactions is of utmost importance as they can be useful for both monitoring electron dynamics and also applications in an industrial capacity. A novel versatile scintillator x-ray spectrometer diagnostic that is capable of single shot measurements of x-rays produced from laser-plasma interactions is presented here. Examples of the design and extraction of the temperature of the spectrum of x-rays produced in an intense laser-solid interaction (479 ± 39 keV) and the critical energy from a betatron source (30 ± 10 keV) are discussed. Finally, a simple optimisation process involving adjusting the scintillator thickness for a particular range of input spectra is demonstrated.