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abstract:
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PLEIADES (Picosecond Laser Electron Interaction for
the Dynamic Evaluation of Structures) produces tunable
30-140 keV x-rays with 0.3-5 ps pulse lengths and up to
10^7 photons/pulse by colliding a high brightness electron
beam with a high power laser. The electron beam is
created by an rf photo-injector system, accelerated by a
120 MeV linac, and focused to 20 μm with novel
permanent magnet quadrupoles. To produce Compton
back scattered x-rays, the electron bunch is overlapped
with a Ti:Sapphire laser that delivers 500 mJ, 100 fs,
pulses to the interaction point. K-edge radiography at 115
keV on Uranium has verified the angle correlated energy
spectrum inherent in Compton scattering and high-energy
tunability of the Livermore source. Current upgrades to
the facility will allow laser pumping of targets
synchronized to the x-ray source enabling dynamic
diffraction and time-resolved studies of high Z materials.
Near future plans include extending the radiation energies
to >400 keV, allowing for nuclear fluorescence studies of
materials.
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