SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF AR-DOPED LASER-DRIVEN IMPLOSIONS

In a series of experiments performed at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics plastic microballoons filled with DD and doped with small amounts of Ar were imploded using the Omega laser system. Time-resolved K-shell Ar spectra were simultaneously recorded using two spectrographs (SPEAXS and flat-crystal). We focus on the analysis of the He-β line and its associated Li-like satellites. The density and temperature sensitivity of this composite spectral feature has been studied previously [R. C. Mancini et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 63, 5119 (1992)]. Here, we use it as a diagnostic. Modeling results take into account the built-in density and temperature dependence characteristic of the level populations and broadening properties of these transitions; in addition, we also consider the effects of ion dynamics and opacity. To check the consistency of our analysis we include in the model the He-γ and Ly-β lines. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.