X-ray spectral investigations of a high irradiance picosecond laser produced plasma

A 1.5 picosecond laser pulse with an intensity of more than 1018 W/cm2 was used to heat solid state magnesium targets. The unique characteristics of this plasma source together with a high resolution recording system ( λ Δλ = 10 4 ) allowed us to study multicharged ions with L- and M-shell dielectronic satellite structures in the wavelength range of 9.2–9.5 A. Ten spectral lines determined by 1s2p4l–1s24l and 1s2p3l–1s23l transitions in Mg X and of 43 spectral lines of Mg IX were identified and measured. Parameters of the plasma in the process of its evolution were deduced.