High Resolution Radiography from Laser Plasma Acceleration generated X-ray Sources

Laser-Wakefield acceleration (LWFA) based X-ray sources allow for many potential applications. The goal of this work is to develop a diagnostic capable of improved target metrology for Intertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) fuel capsules. We are motivated by the development of a sub-ps, sub-10 micron X-ray source to improve X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) tomography of these capsules, and observe High Energy Density phenomena. Analytical tools to analyze the spatial resolution of X-ray radiography in various geometries have been developed, using a Fresnel-diffraction based formalism for a straight edge radiograph, and a modified X-ray ray tracing code for curved objects. These tools were developed and tested using Self Modulated-LWFA X-ray sources at the Jupiter Laser Facility (LLNL). We will improve these techniques to include phase effects which are part of XPCI and aim to analyze blowout regime LWFA X-ray sources for their potential capabilities towards tomography of ICF fuel capsules. Here, we present on the results of a Texas Petawatt experiment, where a 2-3 GeV LWFA generated X-rays to capture radiographs of a 400 micron radius Tungsten sphere target. We compare spatial and spectral data from self-injection and nanoparticle injection mechanisms used to generate the LWFA. We will discuss preliminary results from the Advanced Laser Light Source, which include radiography of an actual ICF fuel capsule, contributing to a comparison of current methods and blowout LWFA-based X-ray capabilities.