An imaging spectrometer with a convex crystal for pulsed x rays in plasma experiments

An imaging spectrometer with a convex rubidium acid phthalate (RbAP) crysta l is designed and examined. Using the ray tracing technique based on the ki nematical theory of diffraction, resolution power, dispersion, linearity, s patial resolution and dynamic range of the monochromatic image are discusse d. Broadening by a rocking curve is also taken into account. Performance of the spectrometer is successfully examined using the so-called hot spots as the soft x-ray source which are generated in the pinched plasma by the pla sma focus facility with an additional gas puff. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)01201-6].