Space and time resolved soft x-ray spectroscopy of high energy density plasmas

For a success of experiments or applications involving plasmas, a knowledge of fundamental parameters such as temperature and density is often critical. Spectral radiation diagnostics can provide this information when interpreted with a suitable plasma model. Historically, for inertial confinement fusion, x-ray source, and other plasmas characterized by large temporal and spatial gradients, spectra have been recorded temporally and/or spatially integrated. This has led to large uncertainties in data interpretation. A technique is described here that yields two dimensional space-resolved soft x-ray spectra for intensity radiating extended sources. The technique uses the dispersive imaging properties of convex curved Bragg crystals. An analysis of the dispersions imaging is presented along with estimates of attainable resolution and aberration. An instrument was constructed using dispersion imaging, and two-dimensional soft x-ray spectra of high energy density aluminum plasmas were recorded time-integrated with photographic film