Recent advances in the development of X-ray cameras inserted inside a pressurized box for LMJ plasma diagnostics

For the first plasma diagnostics to be deployed on Laser Megajoule (LMJ), the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) is developing ultra-fast x-ray imaging cameras to analyse spatial and temporal evolution of laser-plasma interaction parameters. These cameras, which operate in the target chamber vacuum, are composed of a one-dimensional streak (1D) or a two-dimensional gated (2D) detector, power supply units, control electronic modules, and a CCD readout system. In order to optimize their definition and to ensure an easy maintenance, these cameras are packaged inside the hermetically sealed chamber of a pressurized box (air box), which also enable the electronics to operate at atmospheric pressure and provide a protection of the camera against the harsh operating environment induced by fluxes of neutrons, x and gamma rays, and electromagnetic radiations. This paper introduces the work led by CEA concerning the development of the air box which integrates the x-ray streak and framing cameras for the first LMJ plasma diagnostics experiments, as regards the integration and operational constraints of the facility.