Forward Modelling to Reveal Characteristics in Laser-Driven Flash X-Ray Shockwave Radiography

Short-pulse laser driven x-ray radiography offers the potential to improve spatial and temporal resolution for the dynamic imaging of shockwaves within materials. Here x-rays in the tens to hundreds of keV are used to image a Cr foil with an internal shockwave of ~100 μm width and a factor of two increase in density. The experimental configuration was assessed with a set of static and dynamic x-ray radiography experiments at Omega EP with a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) cone with a Ta wire target to physically limit x-ray source size and a magnetic field to deflect background signal from electrons.