Development of a Fully Time-Resolved X-ray Spectrograph

"The Decade Quad/Half plasma radiation source (PRS) will provide environments to test the radiation hardness of critical military systems. Optimizing the Decade PRS will require a set of x-ray diagnostics that measure not only the net x-ray yield but alsothe temperature and density of the plasma that produces the x-rays. High quality spectral data are needed to derive the temperature and density. This SBIR proposal is for a time-resolved spectrograph that makes use of linear detectors that providecontinuous time coverage. No critical time gating is required. The sensors will be silicon pin diodes that have a very stable, well-defined sensitivity and sub-nanosecond response. Especially with our new interest in the free-bound continuum as afidelity enhancement, understanding the time-dependence of plasma temperature and density should help us optimize PRS output. In addition, from the point of view of the test object, it is quite important to know when the various spectral components hitthe target. The fidelity of the simulation can be greatly compromised if different photon energies arrive at the test point at different times. In Phase II, we can design a more advanced system that includes spatial resolution. The instrument developedunder this SBIR project will enable us to better diagnose and therefore to improve the efficiency of high current x-ray simulators. Wherever z-pinches or dense plasma focus systems are used as point x