Calibration of X-ray spectrometers for opacity experiments at the Orion laser facility (invited)

C Bentley; P Allan; K Brent; N Bruce; D Hoarty; A Meadowcroft; J Percival; C Opie

doi:10.1063/1.4962868

Calibration of X-ray spectrometers for opacity experiments at the Orion laser facility (invited)

Rev Sci Instrum. 2016 Nov;87(11):11D505. doi: 10.1063/1.4962868.

Authors

C Bentley¹, P Allan¹, K Brent¹, N Bruce¹, D Hoarty¹, A Meadowcroft¹, J Percival¹, C Opie¹

Affiliation

¹ Plasma Physics Group, Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4PR, England.

PMID: 27910635
DOI: 10.1063/1.4962868

Abstract

Accurately calibrated and characterised x-ray diagnostics are a key requirement in the fielding of experiments on the Orion laser where absolute measurements of x-ray emission are used to underpin the validity of models of emissivity and opacity. Diffraction crystals are used in spectrometers on Orion to record the dispersed spectral features emitted by the laser produced plasma to obtain a measurement of the plasma conditions. The ability to undertake diffraction crystal calibrations supports the successful outcome of these Orion experiments. This paper details the design and commissioning of a system to undertake these calibrations in the energy range 2.0 keV to approximately 8.5 keV. Improvements to the design are detailed which will extend the commissioned range of energies to below 1 keV.