Karoly Makonyi

A high efficiency ultrahigh vacuum compatible flat field spectrometer for extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

A custom, flat field, extreme ultraviolet spectrometer built specifically for use with low power light sources that operate under ultrahigh vacuum conditions is reported. The spectral range of the spectrometer extends from 4 nm to 40 nm. The instrument optimizes the light gathering power and signal-to-noise ratio while achieving good resolution. A detailed description of the spectrometer and design considerations are presented, as well as a procedure that could be used to obtain a synthetic wavelength calibration with the aid of only a single known spectral feature. This synthetic wavelength calibration is compared to a standard wavelength calibration obtained from previously reported spectral lines of Xe, Ar, and Ne ions recorded with this spectrometer.

The correction of systematic image deformations inherent to two-dimensional proportional counters

Two-dimensional backgammon configuration and multiwire gas proportional counters have been in use for decades in the field of x-ray physics for high-precision or high-flux experiments. Systematics inherent to this type of detector lead to image distortions that are often overlooked or extremely difficult to quantify. They are usually seen as intrinsic to the detector performance, leading to loss of resolution, linearity and signal-to-noise ratio. This work presents the signature, cause and resolution of several key distortions. The physics of the breakdown between the anode and cathode, false event position reconstruction due to the electronic detector response, and the effect of asymmetric field lines between the anode and cathode are developed. The position resolution of these types of detectors is demonstrated to be comparable to a charge-coupled device when used in the same experimental configuration.

Astrophysics and spectroscopy with microcalorimeters on an electron beam ion trap

Electron beam ion traps combined with X-ray microcalorimeters provide an indispensable tool for laboratory astrophysics supporting recent and future X-ray missions. The program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology uses spectroscopic methods to study highly ionized plasmas and atomic physics related to astrophysics problems.

Visible, EUV, and X‐ray Spectroscopy at the NIST EBIT Facility

After a brief introduction to the NIST EBIT facility, we present the results of three different types of experiments that have been carried out there recently: EUV and visible spectroscopy in support of the microelectronics industry, laboratory astrophysics using an x‐ray microcalorimeter, and charge exchange studies using extracted beams of highly charged ions.