Enhancing high fluence bremsstrahlung x-ray source via magnetic fields

A high fluence source of hard x-rays (30+ keV) is desired for extreme radiation effects testing but it is challenging to boost yields in this energy range using existing laser-driven K-alpha or pulsed-power bremsstrahlung capabilities. An alternative scheme being developed enhances typically undesired laser-plasma instabilities to generate hot electrons that convert to bremsstrahlung x-ray emission in high-Z target walls. Experiments on Omega and NIF have been performed varying hohlraum plasma conditions to strengthen and enhance plasma waves, most recently using strong external magnetic field (10’s of T) to prolong favorable plasma conditions for x-ray generation and resulting in 6x enhancement over non magnetized outputs. These experimental results will be discussed along with supporting simulations.