Thermal and non-thermal x-ray source enhancement 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 thermal effects (pumping atomic transitions in a heated plasma) or pulsed-power bremsstrahlung capabilities. An alternative scheme being developed enhances typically undesired laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) to generate hot electrons that convert to bremsstrahlung x-ray emission in high-Z target walls. Experiments on Omega and NIF will be presented showing enhancement of 30+ keV x-rays with both thermal and non-thermal mechanisms will be shown along with supporting simulations of both the radiation hydrodynamics and LPI.