Abstract

X-ray imaging optics have been essential diagnostics in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research. A micro pellet (<1mm dia.) is irradiated by a giant multi-beam laser system. This pellet is imploded to create a thermonuclear fusion condition, making use of the inertia of the imploding pellet wall. It is of critical importance for ICF to measure nonuniformities at the implosion core(~ 100μm) or the laser spot in order to drive the pellet to a very high density. Such measurements require a spatial resolution of less than 1μm. We have chosen to build a Schwarzschild type x-ray microscope with a magnification of 15. This x-ray microscope can be applied to fields other than laser fusion, such as lithography, biology’ and medicine. This can be a powerful tool when coupled with laser plasma x rays(LAPLAX), since the high brightness and temporal resolution (<1ns) of LAPLAX is added to the high spatial resolution.

© 1991 Optical Society of America