Publications Details
Analysis of a high intensity x-ray source using a specialized Doppler interferometer system
The Saturn accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories is a high power, variable-spectrum, x-ray source capable of simulating radiation effects of nuclear countermeasures on electronic and material components of space systems. It can also function as a pulsed-power and radiation source, and as a diagnostic test bed for a variety of applications. Obtaining highly accurate measurements of the emission spectra is difficult because the high intensity x-rays and MegaAmpere levels of current inside the experiment chamber can damage or destroy electronic measurement devices. For these reasons, an optical based measurement system has been designed, developed and successfully tested in the Saturn accelerator. The system uses fiber optic coupled sensor(s) connected to a specialized Doppler interferometer system which analyzes the shock wave imparted into a target material. This paper describes the optical system, its related components, and material response data of polymethyl methacrylate.