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Lu W, Nicoul M, Shymanovich U, Tarasevitch A, Horn-von Hoegen M, von der Linde D, Sokolowski-Tinten K. A modular table-top setup for ultrafast x-ray diffraction. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2024; 95:013002. [PMID: 38190494 DOI: 10.1063/5.0181132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
We present a table-top setup for femtosecond time-resolved x-ray diffraction based on a Cu Kα (8.05 keV) laser driven plasma x-ray source. Due to its modular design, it provides high accessibility to its individual components (e.g., x-ray optics and sample environment). The Kα-yield of the source is optimized using a pre-pulse scheme. A magnifying multilayer x-ray mirror with Montel-Helios geometry is used to collect the emitted radiation, resulting in a quasi-collimated flux of more than 105 Cu Kα photons/pulse impinging on the sample under investigation at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. A gas ionization chamber detector is placed right after the x-ray mirror and used for the normalization of the diffraction signals, enabling the measurement of relative signal changes of less than 1% even at the given low repetition rate. Time-resolved diffraction experiments on laser-excited epitaxial Bi films serve as an example to demonstrate the capabilities of the setup. The setup can also be used for Debye-Scherrer type measurements on poly-crystalline samples.
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Mosel P, Sankar P, Appi E, Jusko C, Zuber D, Kleinert S, Düsing J, Mapa J, Dittmar G, Püster T, Böhmer-Brinks P, Vahlbruch JW, Morgner U, Kovacev M. Potential hazards and mitigation of X-ray radiation generated by laser-induced plasma from research-grade laser systems. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:37038-37050. [PMID: 36258622 DOI: 10.1364/oe.468135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A large range of laser-matter applications employ ultrashort pulses and high laser intensity. Such processes can lead to unrequired X-ray generation, which represents a hazardous radiation factor even for common laboratory research-grade laser systems. We present here an analysis of the radiation dose rate and X-ray spectrum emitted during ablation of a rotating copper cylinder with respect to several laser parameters. The results show that focused sub-picosecond pulses with intensity above 1013 W/cm2 can exceed the annual irradiation limit even in one hour, requiring appropriate shielding for the safety of the researchers.
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Modeling for Generating Femtosecond Pulses in an Er-Doped Fiber Using Externally Controlled Spectral Broadening and Compression Mechanisms. PHOTONICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/photonics9040205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A model for generating femtosecond laser pulses from a low-power mode-locked laser of moderate temporal half-width was proposed. This was achieved by injecting the pulse into a single-mode inverted-populated Er-doped fiber where self-focusing and absorption were avoided. To initiate spectral broadening, the pulse was phase-modulated by subjecting a part of the fiber to an electric field of suitable intensity and frequency generated into a circular capacitor. To stimulate temporal compression, the phase-modulated pulse was introduced into a combination of two prism sets located symmetrically with respect to the x-axis. After passing the pulse through the first prism set, its spectral components were spatially separated in the y-axis. The spectral phases were manipulated by redirecting the spectral components through a slab cross-section that was subjected to a spatially modulated DC electric field. After passing the slab, the pulse is directed into the second prism set, where the spectral components were spatially overlapped and propagated outside the compressor with the same slope and dimension as before entering the compressor. Constructive super positioning of the phase-manipulated spectral components gave maximum intensity only at a specified location.
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Gambari M, Clady R, Videau L, Utéza O, Ferré A, Sentis M. Experimental investigation of size broadening of a K α x-ray source produced by high intensity laser pulses. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23318. [PMID: 34857801 PMCID: PMC8640065 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02585-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The size of a hard Kα x-ray source ([Formula: see text] = 17.48 keV) produced by a high intensity femtosecond laser interacting with a solid molybdenum target is experimentally investigated for a wide range of laser intensity (I ~ 1017-2.8 × 1019 W/cm2) and for four values of the temporal contrast ratio (6.7 × 107 < CR < 3.3 × 1010). Results point out the size enlargement of the x-ray source with the increase of laser intensity and with the deterioration of temporal contrast. It amounts up to sixteen times the laser spot size at the highest laser intensity and for the lowest temporal contrast ratio. Using hydrodynamic simulations, we evaluate the density scale length of the pre-plasma L/λ just before the main pulse peak. This allows us to show that a direct correlation with the laser absorption mechanisms is not relevant to explain the large size broadening. By varying the thickness of the molybdenum target down to 4 µm, the impact of hot electron scattering inside the solid is also proved irrelevant to explain the evolution of both the x-ray source size and the Kα photon number. We deduce that the most probable mechanism yielding to the broadening of the source size is linked to the creation of surface electromagnetic fields which confine the hot electrons at the solid surface. This assumption is supported by dedicated experiments where the evolution of the size enlargement of the x-ray source is carefully studied as a function of the laser focal spot size for the highest contrast ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gambari
- LP3, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13288, Marseille, France.
| | - R Clady
- LP3, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - L Videau
- CEA, DAM, DIF, 91297, Arpajon, France
- Laboratoire Matière Conditions Extrêmes, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, 91680, Bruyères-le-Châtel, France
| | - O Utéza
- LP3, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - A Ferré
- LP3, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - M Sentis
- LP3, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13288, Marseille, France.
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Rathore R, Singhal H, Ansari A, Chakera JA. Evolution of laser-induced strain in a Ge crystal for the [111] and [100] directions probed by time-resolved X-ray diffraction. J Appl Crystallogr 2021. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576721010281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultra-short laser-pulse-induced strain propagation in a Ge crystal is studied in the [111] and [100] directions using time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TXRD). The strain propagation velocity is derived by analysis of the TXRD signal from the strained crystal planes. Numerical integration of the Takagi–Taupin equations is performed using open source code, which provides a very simple approach to estimate the strain propagation velocity. The present method will be particularly useful for relatively broad spectral bandwidths and weak X-ray sources, where temporal oscillations in the diffracted X-ray intensity at the relevant phonon frequencies would not be visible. The two Bragg reflections of the Ge sample, viz. 111 and 400, give information on the propagation of strain for two different depths, as the X-ray extinction depths are different for these two reflections. The strain induced by femtosecond laser excitation has a propagation velocity comparable to the longitudinal acoustic velocity. The strain propagation velocity increases with increasing laser excitation fluence. This fluence dependence of the strain propagation velocity can be attributed to crystal heating by ambipolar carrier diffusion. Ge is a promising candidate for silicon-based optoelectronics, and this study will enhance the understanding of heat transport by carrier diffusion in Ge induced by ultra-fast laser pulses, which will assist in the design of optoelectronic devices.
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Zymaková A, Albrecht M, Antipenkov R, Špaček A, Karatodorov S, Hort O, Andreasson J, Uhlig J. First experiments with a water-jet plasma X-ray source driven by the novel high-power-high-repetition rate L1 Allegra laser at ELI Beamlines. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2021; 28:1778-1785. [PMID: 34738931 PMCID: PMC8570212 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577521008729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ELI Beamlines is a rapidly progressing pillar of the pan-European Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) project focusing on the development and deployment of science driven by high-power lasers for user operations. This work reports the results of a commissioning run of a water-jet plasma X-ray source driven by the L1 Allegra laser, outlining the current capabilities and future potential of the system. The L1 Allegra is one of the lasers developed in-house at ELI Beamlines, designed to be able to reach a pulse energy of 100 mJ at a 1 kHz repetition rate with excellent beam properties. The water-jet plasma X-ray source driven by this laser opens opportunities for new pump-probe experiments with sub-picosecond temporal resolution and inherent synchronization between pump and probe pulses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zymaková
- Structural Dynamics, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Albrecht
- X-ray sources, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Antipenkov
- L1 Allegra Laser, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandr Špaček
- L1 Allegra Laser, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Stefan Karatodorov
- X-ray sources, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Hort
- X-ray sources, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Jakob Andreasson
- Structural Dynamics, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Jens Uhlig
- Division of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 117, Lund 22100, Sweden
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Martín L, Benlliure J, Cortina-Gil D, Haruna A, Ruiz C. Validation of a laser driven plasma X-ray microfocus source for high resolution radiography imaging. Phys Med 2021; 82:163-170. [PMID: 33640836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hard X-ray radiation with high brightness and high fluxes is nowadays available on the fourth generation of synchrotrons and X-FELs, but the large size and complexity of these sources makes its use difficult for widespread applications. New table top X-ray sources driven by ultrashort high power lasers offer a compelling route to expand the availability of hard X-ray sources. They can be used for advanced imaging techniques, due to its small source size and spatial coherence. We present in this paper the validation of a compact laser-driven X-ray microfocus source for high-resolution radiography imaging. This novel device was built at the Laser Laboratory for Acceleration and Applications (L2A2) at the University of Santiago de Compostela. This paper describes the laser-plasma X-ray source with improved stability and characterize some of its properties. We demonstrate the high-contrast and resolution of the images obtained with this source by using masks with well known geometries, and detailed analysis by using the modulation transfer function. Finally, we discuss the properties of this source in comparison to other compact microfocus X-ray sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Martín
- IGFAE, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - J Benlliure
- IGFAE, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - D Cortina-Gil
- IGFAE, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Haruna
- IGFAE, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - C Ruiz
- Instituto de Física Fundamental y Matemáticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain
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Koç A, Hauf C, Woerner M, von Grafensteın L, Ueberschaer D, Bock M, Griebner U, Elsaesser T. Compact high-flux hard X-ray source driven by femtosecond mid-infrared pulses at a 1 kHz repetition rate. OPTICS LETTERS 2021; 46:210-213. [PMID: 33448990 DOI: 10.1364/ol.409522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A novel, to the best of our knowledge, table-top hard X-ray source driven by femtosecond mid-infrared pulses provides 8 keV pulses at a 1 kHz repetition rate with an unprecedented flux of up to 1.5×1012 X-ray photons/s. Sub-100 fs pulses at a center wavelength of 5 µm and multi-millijoule energy are generated in a four-stage optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier and focused onto a thin Cu tape target. Electrons are extracted from the target and accelerated in a vacuum up to 100 keV kinetic energy during the optical cycle; the electrons generate a highly stable K α photon flux from the target in a transmission geometry.
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Zeuschner SP, Mattern M, Pudell JE, von Reppert A, Rössle M, Leitenberger W, Schwarzkopf J, Boschker JE, Herzog M, Bargheer M. Reciprocal space slicing: A time-efficient approach to femtosecond x-ray diffraction. STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS (MELVILLE, N.Y.) 2021; 8:014302. [PMID: 33532514 PMCID: PMC7822632 DOI: 10.1063/4.0000040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An experimental technique that allows faster assessment of out-of-plane strain dynamics of thin film heterostructures via x-ray diffraction is presented. In contrast to conventional high-speed reciprocal space-mapping setups, our approach reduces the measurement time drastically due to a fixed measurement geometry with a position-sensitive detector. This means that neither the incident (ω) nor the exit ( 2 θ ) diffraction angle is scanned during the strain assessment via x-ray diffraction. Shifts of diffraction peaks on the fixed x-ray area detector originate from an out-of-plane strain within the sample. Quantitative strain assessment requires the determination of a factor relating the observed shift to the change in the reciprocal lattice vector. The factor depends only on the widths of the peak along certain directions in reciprocal space, the diffraction angle of the studied reflection, and the resolution of the instrumental setup. We provide a full theoretical explanation and exemplify the concept with picosecond strain dynamics of a thin layer of NbO2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Mattern
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - A. von Reppert
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - M. Rössle
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Wilhelm-Conrad-Röntgen Campus, BESSY II, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - W. Leitenberger
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - J. Schwarzkopf
- Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - J. E. Boschker
- Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - M. Herzog
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - M. Bargheer
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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Zymaková A, Khakurel K, Picchiotti A, Błachucki W, Szlachetko J, Rebarz M, Uhlig J, Andreasson J. Implementation of a crossed-slit system for fast alignment of sealed polycapillary X-ray optics. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2020; 27:1730-1733. [PMID: 33147201 PMCID: PMC7642965 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577520012217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A new modification of a table-top laser-driven water-jet plasma X-ray source has been successfully implemented and commissioned at the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Beamlines user facility. In order to preserve the broadband nature of the source for spectroscopic experiments, a polycapillary lens was initially chosen as the focusing element. Generally, polycapillary X-ray optics have a narrow photon acceptance angle and small field of view, making alignment complicated and time-consuming. This contribution demonstrates a straightforward, reliable and reproducible procedure for aligning polycapillary focusing optics with broadband X-rays. The method involves a pre-alignment step where two X-ray slits are mounted orthogonally on opposite sides of a 3D-printed cylindrical polycapillary holder. This helps to precisely determine the optical axis of the X-ray beam. Subsequent mounting of the polycapillary in the pre-aligned holder with the slits removed allowed for immediate transmission of the X-ray photons through the optics and has provided a good starting point for fine alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zymaková
- RP4, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Krishna Khakurel
- RP4, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | | | - Wojciech Błachucki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, Krakow 31342, Poland
| | - Jakub Szlachetko
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, Krakow 31342, Poland
| | - Mateusz Rebarz
- RP4, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
| | - Jens Uhlig
- Division of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 117, Lund 22100, Sweden
| | - Jakob Andreasson
- RP4, ELI Beamlines, Za Radnici 835, Dolni Brezany 25241, Czech Republic
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