Generation and use of spontaneous x-ray emission from laser-heated plasmas

Characteristics of gas (excimer) and solid (Nd:YAG) laser systems now available are summarized along with a discussion of near term prospects. The transport and focusing of laser pulses to attain irradiances necessary for x-ray generation are then surveyed. The laser-plasma is essentially a transducer for matter and energy, emitting material in addition to the photons of interest here. Recent progress and needed measurements of x-rays from laser-generated plasmas are summarized. Prospects for construction of beam lines to transport x-rays from the plasma to a sample, similar to the behavior of synchrotron x-radiation beam lines, are discussed briefly. Applications of x-rays from laser-plasmas are summarized, with emphasis on recent work