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EPSRC Reference: EP/C001869/1
Title: Thomson Scatter at X-ray wavelengths
Principal Investigator: Riley, Professor D
Other Investigators:
Lewis, Professor C
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Organisation: Queen's University of Belfast
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2004 Ends: 31 December 2007 Value (£): 316,563
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Plasmas - Laser & Fusion
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We intend to carry out a series of experiments with the VULCAN laser to investigate Thomson scatter at X-ray wavelengths. Our first goal will to be use the high brightness and low divergence of an X-ray laser (XRL) to make Thomson scatter measurements from an exploding foil target heated with opposing laser pulses. We have calculated an accessibility region where we expect the measurements to be possible. Of particular interest would be the observation of a plasmon feature which could be used as density diagnostic. We will also investigate the possibility of using Thomson scatter at keV photon energies to diagnose a shock compressed Fe foil. As well as Thomson scatter, the latter case is amenable to diffraction type measurements similar to those pioneered in earlier work. The new work however would be applied to Fe which is a material of considerable astrophysical and geological interest, especially when compressed to several megabars pressure. The development of Thomson scatter at X-ray wavelengths would represent a considerable advance in plasma diagnostics with application to testing non-ideal plasma theory as well as line shape calculations at high density.
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Organisation Website: http://www.qub.ac.uk