An incoherent sub-picosecond X-ray source for time-resolved X-ray-diffraction experiments

Abstract.Ultrashort bursts of Kα X-ray radiation were generated from fs-laser-produced plasmas. A complete experimental characterization of the X-ray source in terms of spectral, spatial, and temporal properties was performed. The pulse width of the Kα burst is shorter than 250 fs. The time-resolved evolution of a shock wave launched by a synchronized laser pulse in InSb was investigated. The transient change of the rocking curve yields detailed information on the structural changes.