X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY OF DENSE LASER-PRODUCED PLASMAS

A brief overview of the standard theory of line broadening is presente d together with an analysis of laser driven implosion experiments. The relation of the experimental analysis to improvements in theoretical procedures is discussed. The experiments described were performed at t he University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and a t the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The results prese nted illustrate the usefulness of plasma line broadening in providing diagnostic capabilities and an understanding of the fundamental plasma processes.