X‐ray spectroscopic methods for the diagnosis of laser‐imploded targets (invited)

Several methods involving x‐ray spectroscopic methods for diagnosing laser‐imploded targets are discussed. The first method involves the recording of absorption lines formed in the target tamper, out of the continuum emitted by a hotter compressed core. This method is applied to ablatively imploded targets having a thin KCl signature layer. The tamper ρΔR is deduced from the area within the absorption lines, whereas the tamper temperature is deduced from the intensity distribution among absorption lines of adjacent charge states. In a second method, doubly diffracting crystals can give two‐dimensional monochromatic images of thin signature layers in spherical targets. Such information is useful in studying stability and mixing. Experimental results relevant to these methods will be shown and the limitations on their application to laser‐target experiments will be discussed.