High-resolution monochromatic x-ray imaging system based on spherically bent crystals

We have developed an improved x-ray imaging system based on spherically curved crystals. It is designed and used for diagnostics of targets ablatively accelerated by the Nike KrF laser. A spherically curved quartz crystal (2d = 6.687 Angstrom, R = 200 mm) has been used to produce monochromatic backlit images with the He-like Si resonance line (1865 eV) as the source of radiation. The spatial resolution of the x-ray optical system is 1.7 mu m in selected places and 2-3 mu m over a larger area. Time-resolved backlit monochromatic images of polystyrene planar targets driven by the Nike facility have been obtained with a spatial resolution of 2.5 mu m in selected places and 5 mu m over the focal spot of the Nike laser. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.