Ultrafast, jitter-free x-ray streak camera that uses single-photon counting

novel method developed to increase the temporal resolution of x-ray streak cameras is described. The method is analogous to the time-correlated single -photon-counting technique, which is commonly used in atomic physics. By us e of short-pulse x-ray radiation from a laser-produced plasma, generated by an ultrafast laser, it is shown that a standard x-ray streak camera with a nominal temporal resolution of >5 ps can yield a temporal response of 1.6 ps. The readout technique also removes temporal jitter with respect to the triggering laser. Capabilities and limitations of the technology are discus sed. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.