Publications Details

Active Dopant Optical Spectroscopy via Laser Ablation for High Resolution Spectral Measurements

Patel, Sonal P.; Simpson, Sean S.

The goal of this exploratory express LDRD is to demonstrate a reproducible laser activated doping diagnostic for eventual use on the Z machine by producing consistent spectral line emission with radiances above 10⁵ W sr^-1 nm^-1 111^-2 from a variety of dopant materials. Here we show that while such radiances are achieved, the line emission is from regions with high electron densities, and close to the laser ablation surface. Therefore, it would be more ideal to improve current optical spectroscopy capabilities on Z to view radiances around 10⁴ W sr^-l nm^-l m^-2 . We also discuss the viability of a modular beam path that can be remotely aligned and used on the Z machine. This technique can be used to make spatially resolved measurements of electric and magnetic field strengths and electron densities within the Z power flow and load regions. The measurements can also be used to inform theory and simulation efforts needed to design the next generation of pulsed power capabilities. This was funded as an exploratory LDRD project, number: 214278