Single-shot multi-keV x-ray absorption spectroscopy using an ultrashort laser-wakefield accelerator source

B. Kettle, E. Gerstmayr, M. J. V. Streeter, F. Albert, R. A. Baggott, N. Bourgeois, J. M. Cole, S. Dann, K. Falk, I. Gallardo González, A. E. Hussein, N. Lemos, N. C. Lopes, O. Lundh, Y. Ma, S. J. Rose, C. Spindloe, D. R. Symes, M. Šmíd, A. G.R. ThomasR. Watt, S. P.D. Mangles

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Single-shot absorption measurements have been performed using the multi-keV x rays generated by a laser-wakefield accelerator. A 200 TW laser was used to drive a laser-wakefield accelerator in a mode which produced broadband electron beams with a maximum energy above 1 GeV and a broad divergence of ≈15 mrad FWHM. Betatron oscillations of these electrons generated 1.2 0.2 × 106 photons=eV in the 5 keV region, with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 300∶1. This was sufficient to allow high resolution x-ray absorption near-edge structure measurements at the K edge of a titanium sample in a single shot. We demonstrate that this source is capable of single-shot, simultaneous measurements of both the electron and ion distributions in matter heated to eV temperatures by comparison with density functional theory simulations. The unique combination of a high-flux, large bandwidth, few femtosecond duration x-ray pulse synchronized to a high-power laser will enable key advances in the study of ultrafast energetic processes such as electron-ion equilibration.

Original languageEnglish
Article number254801
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume123
Issue number25
Early online date17 Dec 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Single-shot multi-keV x-ray absorption spectroscopy using an ultrashort laser-wakefield accelerator source'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this