X-Ray Laser Source Using Ceramic Target

Abstract

Ceramic plates (AlN and alumina) have been used as targets for laser-plasma x-ray sources for the first time. Radiation intensity of soft x-ray spectra from Li-like ions (Al XI) for the AlN target was almost the same as in the case of pure aluminium target. It was found that the ceramic target can be irradiated at the same place up to 70 times or more, radiating x-rays with nearly the same intensity as in the case when a virgin surface was irradiated. Craters formed on the target surface after irradiations were measured 3-dimensionally and their hollow volumes below the initial surface were analyzed. The ablated mass for AlN or alumina target was less than 1/6 compared with that for pure Al target. We succeeded in development of the laser-plasma x-ray source for a long operating period, maintaining stable x-ray output.