MEASURING LASER-PLASMA X-RAY-EMISSION USING PHOTODIODE ARRAYS

The use of photodiode arrays (PDAs), as the detectors in laser-plasma x-ray diagnostics, is explored in this paper. Traditionally, in laser-fusion and laser-plasma research, film has been used in x-ray diagnostics to record the integrated x-ray flux. The advantages of film are its low cost and relative simplicity of use. Photodiode arrays, although more complex, offer the advantages of near instantaneous results, high sensitivity, stability of response, and in principle are easy to calibrate. A Hughes PDA has been used to image laser-plasma x rays by incorporating it into a pinhole camera. The readout electronics were developed at the Space Science Laboratory and experiments were performed on the University of Rochester's OMEGA target chamber.