Large-Format X-Ray Pinhole Camera

National Security Technologies, LLC, has successfully implemented many scientific and engineering innovations in the new Large-Format Pinhole Camera (LFPHC), which have dramatically increased the detection sensitivity and reliability of the camera in exotic locations, such as the Sandia National Laboratories Z-facility. Quality improvements of the LFPHC have been demonstrated in its fielding at Z, where high-quality images were recorded. A major improvement was the development of a new, user-friendly LFPHC camera back that would tolerate high radiation, electromagnetic interference, and mechanical shock. Key modifications resulted in improved detection sensitivity, spatial resolution, uniformity along the microchannel plate strip, and stability of the interframe timing and delay. Design considerations and improvements will be discussed

Dynamic Characterizations of an 8-frame Half-Strip High-speed X-ray Microchannel Plate Imager

High-speed microchannel plate (MCP)–based imagers are critical detectors for x-ray diagnostics employed on Z-experiments at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to measure time-resolved x-ray spectra and to image dynamic hohlraums. A multiframe design using eight half strips in one imager permits recordings of radiation events in discrete temporal snapshots to yield a time-evolved movie. We present data using various facilities to characterize the performance of this design. These characterization studies include DC and pulsed-voltage biased measurements in both saturated and linear operational regimes using an intense, short-pulsed UV laser. Electrical probe measurements taken to characterize the shape of the HV pulse propagating across the strips help to corroborate the spatial gain dependence

High-Resolution UV Relay Lens for Particle Size Distribution Measurements Using Holography

Shock waves passing through a metal sample can produce ejecta particulates at a metal-vacuum interface. Holography records particle size distributions by using a high-power, short-pulse laser to freeze particle motion. The sizes of the ejecta particles are recorded using an in-line Fraunhofer holography technique. Because the holographic plate would be destroyed in an energetic environment, a high-resolution lens has been designed to relay the interference fringes to a safe environment. Particle sizes within a 12-mm-diameter, 5-mm-thick volume are recorded onto holographic film. To achieve resolution down to 0.5 μm, ultraviolet laser (UV) light is needed. The design and assembly of a nine-element lens that achieves >2000 lp/mm resolution and operates at f/0.89 will be described. To set up this lens system, a doublet lens is temporarily attached that enables operation with 532-nm laser light and 1100 lp/mm resolution. Thus, the setup and alignment are performed with green light, but the dynamic recording is done with UV light. During setup, the 532-nm beam provides enough focus shift to accommodate the placement of a resolution target outside the ejecta volume; this resolution target does not interfere with the calibrated wires and pegs surrounding the ejecta volume. A television microscope archives images of resolution patterns that prove that the calibration wires, interference filter, holographic plate, and relay lenses are in their correct positions. Part of this lens is under vacuum, at the point where the laser illumination passes through a focus. Alignment and tolerancing of this high-resolution lens will be presented, and resolution variation through the 5-mm depth of field will be discussed