A high-resolution x-ray microscope for laser-driven planar-foil experiments

A soft x-ray microscope (E less than or similar to 3 keV) with high spatial resolution (similar to 3 mu m) has been characterized at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics and used for initial experiments oil the Omega laser system [Boehly et nl., Opt, Commun. 133, 495 (1997)] to study the hydrodynamic stability of directly driven planar foils. The microscope, which is an optimized Kirkpatrick-Baez-type design, is used to obtain four x-ray radiographs of laser-driven foils. Time-resolved images are obtained with either custom-built framing cameras (time resolution similar to 80 ps) or by using short-pulse backlighter beams (Delta t less than or similar to 200 ps). Ln the former case, a spatial resolution of similar to 7 mu m was obtained (limited by the framing camera), while in the latter case a resolution of similar to 3 mu m was obtained. This paper details the testing, calibration, and initial use of this microscope in the laboratory and on Omega. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.