Multilayer mirror monochromatic self-emission x-ray imaging on the Z accelerator

A time-resolved, monochromatic soft x-ray diagnostic has been developed for self-emission imaging of imploding z pinches on the Z accelerator [R. B. Spielman et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 2105 (1998)] at Sandia National Laboratories. Multiple pinhole images are reflected from a planar multilayer mirror with narrow photon energy bandwidth (< 10 eV) onto a 1 ns gated microchannel plate detector. High-energy bremsstrahlung x rays are not reflected, providing improved signal to noise in comparison to a standard filtered pinhole camera included in the same beamline of the instrument. An example of data from the existing similar to 277 eV imaging system is presented, showing cooler imploding mass extending to larger radius than the on-axis K-shell emission of an aluminum wire array. Multilayer mirror and filter pair configurations ranging from 96 to 769 eV are discussed. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.