Emily R. Peterson

An x-ray probe of laser-aligned molecules

We demonstrate a hard x-ray probe of laser-aligned small molecules. To align small molecules with optical lasers, high intensities at nonresonant wavelengths are necessary. We use 95ps pulses focused to 40μm from an 800nm Ti:sapphire laser at a peak intensity of 1012W∕cm2 to create an ensemble of aligned bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) molecules. Linearly polarized, 120ps x-ray pulses, focused to 10μm, tuned to the Br 1s→σ* preedge resonance at 13.476keV, probe the ensemble of laser-aligned molecules. The demonstrated methodology has a variety of applications and can enable ultrafast imaging of laser-controlled molecular motions with Angstrom-level resolution.

K-edge x-ray-absorption spectroscopy of laser-generated Kr{sup +} and Kr{sup 2+}

Tunable, polarized, microfocused x-ray pulses were used to record x-ray absorption spectra across the K edges of Kr{sup +} and Kr{sup 2+} produced by laser ionization of Kr. Prominent 1s {yields} 4p and 5p excitations are observed below the 1s ionization thresholds in accord with calculated transition energies and probabilities. Due to alignment of 4p hole states in the laser-ionization process, the Kr{sup +} 1s {yields} 4p cross section varies with respect to the angle between the laser and x-ray polarization vectors. This effect is used to determine the Kr{sup +} 4p{sub 3/2} and 4p{sub 1/2} quantum state populations, and these are compared with results of an adiabatic strong-field ionization theory that includes spin-orbit coupling.

Characterization of the spatiotemporal evolution of laser-generated plasmas

We characterize the time evolution of ion spatial distributions in a laser-produced plasma. Krypton ions are produced in strong, linearly and circularly polarized optical laser fields (1014–1015 W/cm2). The Kr+ ions are preferentially detected by resonant x-ray absorption. Using microfocused, tunable x rays from Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source, we measure ion densities as a function of time with 10 μm spatial resolution for times ≤50 ns. For plasma densities of the order of 1014 cm−3, we observe a systematic expansion of the ions outward from the laser focus. We find the expansion timescale to be independent of the plasma density though strongly dependent on the plasma shape and electron temperature. The former is defined by the laser focus, while the latter is controlled by the laser polarization state. We have developed a fluid description assuming a collisionless quasineutral plasma, which is modeled using a particle-in-cell approach. This simulation provides a quantitative description of the observed...

Strong-field control of x-ray absorption.

Strong optical laser fields modify the way x rays interact with matter. This allows us to use x rays to gain deeper insight into strong-field processes. Alternatively, optical lasers may be utilized to control the propagation of x rays through a medium. Gas-phase systems are particularly suitable for illustrating the basic principles underlying combined x-ray and laser interactions. Topics addressed include the impact of spin-orbit interaction on the alignment of atomic ions produced in a strong laser field, electromagnetically induced transparency in the x-ray regime, and laser-induced alignment of molecules.

A Simple Short‐range Point‐focusing Spatial Filter for Time‐resolved X‐ray Fluorescence

A simple, compact, point‐focusing spatial filter for x‐ray fluorescence is presented. This construction maintains the large solid angle and directionality of existing designs but is more easily machined. Combined with a selective absorber, it can be used as an x‐ray low‐pass filter; this is one common approach taken in inelastic x‐ray scattering studies and fluorescence spectroscopy. When combined with a scintillation detector, this device forms a large solid angle energy‐selective x‐ray detector with ns‐scale time resolution that is useful for timing studies.