High-resolution x-ray spectrometer for x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy.

Two extended x-ray absorption fine structure flat crystal x-ray spectrometers (EFX's) were designed and built for high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy over a large energy range with flexible, on-shot energy dispersion calibration capabilities. The EFX uses a flat silicon [111] crystal in the reflection geometry as the energy dispersive optic covering the energy range of 6.3-11.

Cross-Beam Energy Transfer Saturation by Ion Heating.

We measure cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) saturation by ion heating in a gas-jet plasma characterized using Thomson scattering. A wavelength-tunable ultraviolet (UV) probe laser beam interacts with four intense UV pump beams to drive large-amplitude ion-acoustic waves. For the highest-intensity interactions, the power transfer to the probe laser drops, demonstrating ion-acoustic wave saturation.

Supersonic gas-jet characterization with interferometry and Thomson scattering on the OMEGA Laser System.

A supersonic gas-jet target platform has been activated on the OMEGA Laser System. An analytic model for gas dynamics in a supersonic nozzle was used to predict gas-plume parameters and to design nozzles for use in laser-plasma experiments. The gas-jet system was analyzed with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to study neutral density and with Thomson scattering to study plasma parameters on the OMEGA Laser System.

A high-resolving-power x-ray spectrometer for the OMEGA EP Laser (invited).

A high-resolving-power x-ray spectrometer has been developed for the OMEGA EP Laser System based on a spherically bent Si [220] crystal with a radius of curvature of 330 mm and a Spectral Instruments (SI) 800 Series charge-coupled device. The instrument measures time-integrated x-ray emission spectra in the 7.97- to 8.

Note: Experimental platform for magnetized high-energy-density plasma studies at the omega laser facility.

An upgrade of the pulsed magnetic field generator magneto-inertial fusion electrical discharge system [O. Gotchev et al., Rev.