Development of intense X-ray sources using ultra-thin foil targets

Kado, Masataka; Ishino, Masahiko; Kishimoto, Maki

Soft X-ray microscope with laser plasma X-ray sources has a potential to observe live biological cells in wet environment and it is expected to be used for investigation of radiation effect and cell functions. However in order to realize it high intense X-ray sources to achieve flash X-ray imaging are needed. We have developed high intense X-ray sources with ultra-thin foil gold targets irradiating high contrast laser pulses with OPCPA system. Generated X-rays were observed with a soft X-ray plasma camera and a soft X-ray spectrometer and we found that the X-ray intensity was one order higher than previous results at the thickness of 400 nm. We also observed strong X-ray emissions from rear side of the targets with thickness of 20 nm.