X-ray Imaging of MagLIF Experiments Using a Spherically-Bent Crystal Optic

The recent Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments performed on Sandia's Z-machine produced significant thermonuclear DD fusion yields that were accompanied by observable x-ray emission [M.R. Gomez \textit{et. al.,} PRL (2014)]. The MagLIF experiments relied on a spherically-bent crystal optic to image portions of the x-ray continuum that were generated by the hot stagnation plasma. The images of stagnation show a long (6 to 8 mm) and narrow ($\sim $100 micron) column of x-ray emission with structure in both directions. This structure may be caused by variations in the electron temperature (T$_{\mathrm{e}})$ and density (n$_{\mathrm{e}})$, as well as opacity variations in the surrounding Be pusher. Here we investigate the possible contributions from each of these effects. We will also discuss the development of a diagnostic technique in which T$_{\mathrm{e}}$ and n$_{\mathrm{e}}$ of the DD fuel are inferred from spectra emitted by Fe impurities that become ionized to a He-like charge state.