Hard x-ray production from high intensity laser solid interactions (invited)

Intense laser (> 10(21) W/cm(2)) driven hard x-ray sources offer a new alte rnative to conventional electron accelerator bremsstrahlung sources. These laser driven sources offer considerable simplicity in design and cost advan tage for multiple axis views and have the potential for much higher spatial and temporal resolution than is achievable with accelerator sources. We ha ve begun a series of experiments using the Petawatt laser system at LLNL to determine the potential of these sources for radiography applications. Abs olutely calibrated spectra extending to 20 MeV and high resolution radiogra phs through a rho r greater than or equal to 150 g/cm(2) have been obtained . The physics of these sources and the scaling relationships and laser tech nology required to provide the dose levels necessary for radiography applic ations will be discussed. Diagnostics of the laser produced electrons and p hotons will be addressed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-67 48(99)66201- 3].