X-ray scattering from a radiatively heated plasma

This paper describes experiments designed to measure the X-ray scattering c ross section of a dense plasma created by radiatively heating an aluminum s ample foil, In contrast to previous experiments, we believe that the heatin g was sufficient to generate a plasma throughout the entire thickness of th e foil. Hydrodynamic simulations predict that the plasma conditions were no t very uniform, with temperatures ranging from 1-10 eV through the foil. Co ntrary to initial expectation, there is an absence of a clear peak in the c ross section. This may be due to either lower than expected ionization, or to temporal averaging and the non-uniformity of density and temperature, wh ich may smooth out any sharp features. However, the data does show some ind ication of changes in the cross section as the plasma evolves. The successf ul measurement of cross sections as a function of angle and time delay show s that the technique has potential as a probe of this important class of pl asmas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.