title: X-Ray diffraction from a dense plasma
abstract: We report measurements of x-ray scattering cross sections for dense plasmas created by subjecting aluminum foils to strong laser-driven shocks. A narrow cone of quasimonochromatic x-rays at approximately 4.75 keV was used to probe the shocked part of the foil and scattered photons were detected with a CCD camera. The scattering cross section shows a clear peak, indicating diffraction from the plasma. Analysis and simulation of the data suggest that radiative heating and electron-ion energy exchange are important factors in the plasma production.
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematics and Physics, Queens University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom.
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Woolsey
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McSherry
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djaoui
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nardi