We describe a diagnostic suitable for the investigation of strong coup
ling effects in a plasma. The diagnostic is based on x-ray scattering
of kilovolt x rays from a plasma and the determination of total x-ray
scattering cross sections. The first experimental results of the total
scattering cross sections from a strongly coupled plasma measured wit
h kilovolt x rays are presented. The scattering plasma is formed by ra
diatively heating an Al foil with soft x rays coated by Au laser-conve
rsion foil; the plasma is probed with Ti XXII 1s(2)-1s2p line x rays e
mitted from a second laser produced plasma. A detailed description of
the scattering technique is presented and the potential of x-ny scatte
ring as a diagnostic of strongly coupled plasmas is explored. (C) 1998
American Institute of Physics.