Ultra-Fast Pump-Probe Detection Using Plasmas

The temporal resolution of pump-flash interactions in the femtosecond-attosecond (fs-as) regime is limited by the characteristic time constants of the excited states in the detector material. If the relaxation time constant is appreciably longer that the time interval between the pump and probe signals the response of the detector material to the probe represents a temporal convolution with the pump and probe responses, setting a lower limit on the resolution to which the interval between the two pulses can be measured. In most of the solid state ultrafast detection schemes that are being considered for the ultrashort pulse x-ray sources under current development at SLAC and elsewhere the characteristic time constants are related to the bound states of the atoms comprising the material or to the relaxation times of phase transitions or charge carrier populations of the lattice, setting a probable lower limit on the attainable resolution on the order of {approx}0.1 ps. In this paper we consider a novel detection principle based on the excitation of specially prepared unbound states in an ionized plasma with high pump and probe fields, and estimate its potential for extending the lower limit of resolution into the attosecond (as) regime

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Sources for Lithography based on Synchrotron Radiation

The study presented here was initiated by a discussion to investigate the possibility of using synchrotron radiation as a source for the Next Generation Lithography (NGL) based on the EUV-concept (Extreme Ultra-Violet; here 13.5 nm or 11.3 nm radiation, respectively). The requirements are: 50 W, 2% bandwidth and minimal power outside this bandwidth. Three options were investigated. The first two deal with radiation from bending magnets and undulators. The results confirm the earlier work by Oxfords Instrument and others that these light-sources lack in-band power while emitting excessive out-of-band radiation. The third approach is a FEL (Free Electron Laser) driven by a 500 MeV linear accelerator with a superconducting mini-undulator as radiation emitting device. Such a device would produce in-band EUV-power in excess of 50 W with negligible out-of-band power.Comment: Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods

VUV/EUV ionising radiation and atoms and ions: dual laser plasma investigations

The interaction of ionising radiation with atoms and ions is a key fundamental process. This report concentrates on studies of photoexcitation/photoionisation using laser-produced plasmas as continuum sources and synchronised laser plasma plumes to provide the absorbing atom or ion species. Examples from studies of the interaction of ionising radiation with atoms and ions ranging from few-electron atomic and ionic systems to the many-electron high atomic number actinides are reviewed and illustrate the advantages and limitations of the Dual Laser Plasma technique

Development of an advanced x-ray generator based on Compton back-scattering: a proposal for Science for Peace sub-program of NATO

An extended form of a cooperative project proposal is presented. The main goal of the proposal is the design and construction of a storage ring X-ray generator based on Compton backscattering. The project’s primary objectives and organisation, together with a draft plan for the required N-100 storage ring reconstruction effort, are outlined