Thermal and non-thermal x-ray source enhancement via magnetic fields

ORAL

Abstract

A high fluence source of hard x-rays (30+ keV) is desired for extreme radiation effects testing but it is challenging to boost yields in this energy range using existing laser-driven thermal effects (pumping atomic transitions in a heated plasma) or pulsed-power bremsstrahlung capabilities. An alternative scheme being developed enhances typically undesired laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) to generate hot electrons that convert to bremsstrahlung x-ray emission in high-Z target walls. Experiments on Omega and NIF will be presented showing enhancement of 30+ keV x-rays with both thermal and non-thermal mechanisms will be shown along with supporting simulations of both the radiation hydrodynamics and LPI.

*This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344.

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Presenters

  • Patrick Poole

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Authors

  • Patrick Poole

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab

  • Alejandro Campos

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Gregory E Kemp

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab
    • LLNL

  • Mark J May

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Luis S Leal

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Max Tabak

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Klaus Widmann

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Heather D Whitley

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Chad Noble

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Yuan Ping

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Brent E Blue

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab