2024/09/03 by Danika Nimlos, Nimlos, Danika, Alejandro Arellano +3
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging #Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det) #Nuclear Physics and Applications #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph) #X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2409.02280
openalex publication_date 2024/09/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The increasing popularity of time-resolved X-ray absorption measurements for understanding dynamics in molecular and material systems has led to many advances in table-top sources for pulsed X-rays. We report on a table top laser-produced plasma (LPP) source that can perform soft X-ray (SXR), near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements using a laser source with 23 ps pulse duration. The spectrometer's key specifications, such as brilliance, resolution, and stability, are characterized against the more commonly used longer-pulse-duration LPP sources. The 23 ps laser produced approximately an order of magnitude weaker SXR flux than the 8 ns laser for a higher power density due to the smaller total energy absorbed by the plasma. The increased repetition rate and an implemented self-referencing scheme still allowed for high-resolution, synchrotron-like NEXAFS measurements of Si3N4 and TiO2 thin films with 2.5 minute acquisition times. It was observed that degradation of the gas jet nozzle led to long-term instability of the source, which can be remediated using alternative nozzle designs. This work demonstrates the feasibility of achieving higher temporal resolution in future time-resolved X-ray absorption measurements using table-top laser-produced plasma sources