Fluorescence spectroscopy as a diagnostic of the radiation environment in high energy density experiments (invited)

A fluorescence spectroscopy technique has been developed to measure conditions in high energy density (HED) experiments. The experimental technique and modeling of the spectra are described and results of fluorescence measurements are presented. Fluorescence spectra were measured from an aluminium microdot over a small hole in the wall of an experimental package or a hohlraum. The aluminium was photopumped from a broadband radiation source, without perturbing the temperature. To date, fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to diagnose the radiative heating of plasmas in the temperature range 20–80 eV. Fluorescence spectroscopy has several advantages over x-ray absorption and self-emission spectroscopy in the diagnosis of HED experiments and these are discussed in the article. Extension of the technique to higher temperature plasma is discussed.