Method of aligning a laser-based radiation source

摘要

A method for temporally and spatially aligning a laser-based x-ray source and maintaining alignment is disclosed. A pump laser beam, which interacts with a plasma source to create an electron beam, is aligned with the electron beam. A scattering laser beam is overlapped with the pump laser beam at an intersection point. The pump laser beam and scattering laser beam alignments are monitored and adjusted to maintain optimal alignment during operation of the laser-based x-ray source.

主权项

1. A method for temporally and spatially aligning a laser-based x-ray source, the method comprising:
monitoring a position of an electron beam emitted from an interaction between a pump laser beam and a plasma source; monitoring a position of the pump laser beam after the pump laser beam passes through the plasma source; adjusting the pump laser beam until the position of the pump laser beam and the position of the electron beam overlap; placing an interference material at an intersection of the pump laser beam and a scattering laser beam; monitoring an interference signal from an interaction between the pump laser beam and the scattering laser beam in the interference material; increasing the interference signal; removing the interference material from the intersection of the pump laser beam and the scattering laser beam; determining a pump laser beam alignment position using a first pump signal from a first portion of the pump laser beam that passes through a first pump laser mirror and a second pump signal from a second portion of the pump laser beam that passes through a second pump laser mirror located after the first pump laser mirror; monitoring the first and second pump signals during operation of the laser-based x-ray source; adjusting third and fourth pump laser mirrors located prior to the second pump laser mirror to move the pump laser beam back to the pump laser beam alignment position when the first and second pump signals change; determining a scattering laser beam alignment position using a first scattering signal from a first portion of the scattering laser beam that passes through a first scattering laser mirror and a second scattering signal from a second portion of the scattering laser beam that passes through a second scattering laser mirror located after the first scattering laser mirror; monitoring the first and second scattering signals during operation of the laser-based x-ray source; adjusting third and fourth scattering laser mirrors located prior to the second scattering laser mirror to move the scattering laser beam back to the scattering laser beam alignment position when the first and second scattering signals change.