Experimental study on K alpha X-ray emission from intense femtosecond laser-solid interactions

The characteristics of K alpha X-ray sources generated by p-polarized femtosecond laser-solid interactions are experimentally studied in the relativistic regime. By use of knife-edge image technique and a single-photon-counting X-ray CCD camera, we obtaine the source size, the spectrum and the conversion efficiency of the Ka X-ray sources. The experimental results show that the conversion efficiency of Ka photons reaches an optimum value of 7.08 x 10(-6)/sr at the laser intensity of 1.6 x 10(18) W/cm(2), which is different from the Reich's simulation results (Reich et al., 2000 Phys. Rev. Lett. 84 4846). We find that about 10% of laser energy is converted into the forward hot electrons at the laser intensity of 1.6 x 10(18) W/cm(2).

A Prototype X-ray Framing Camera With Variable Exposure Time Based on Double-Gated Micro-Channel Plates

We present a novel X-ray frame camera with variable exposure time that is based on double-gated micro-channel plates (MCP). Two MCPs are connected so that their channels form a Chevron-MCP structure, and four parallel micro-strip lines (MSLs) are deposited on each surface of the Chevron-MCP. The MSLs on opposing surfaces of the Chevron-MCP are oriented normal to each other and subjected to high voltage. The MSLs on the input and output surfaces are fed high voltage pulses to form a gating action. In forming two-dimensional images, modifying the width of the gating pulse serves to set exposure times (ranging from ps to ms) and modifying the delay between each gating pulse serves to set capture times. This prototype provides a new tool for high-speed X-ray imaging, and this paper presents both simulations and experimental results obtained with the camera.

Evaluation of both composition and strain distributions in InGaN epitaxial film using x-ray diffraction techniques

The composition and stain distributions in the InGaN epitaxial films are jointly measured by employing various x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, including out-of-plane XRD at special planes, in-plane grazing incidence XRD, and reciprocal space mapping (RSM). It is confirmed that the measurement of (204) reflection allows a rapid access to estimate the composition without considering the influence of biaxial strain. The two-dimensional RSM checks composition and degree of strain relaxation jointly, revealing an inhomogeneous strain distribution profile along the growth direction. As the film thickness increases from 100 nm to 450 nm, the strain status of InGaN films gradually transfers from almost fully strained to fully relaxed state and then more in atoms incorporate into the film, while the near-interface region of InGaN films remains pseudomorphic to GaN.

DETERMINATION OF SURFACE-ROUGHNESS OF INP (001) WAFERS BY X-RAY-SCATTERING

The surface roughness of polished InP (001) wafers were examined by x-ray reflectivity and crystal truncation rod (CTR) measurements. The root-mean-square roughness and the lateral correlation scale were obtained by both methods. The scattering intensities in the scans transverse to the specular reflection rod were found to contain two components. A simple surface model of surface faceting is proposed to explain the experimental data. The sensitivities of the two methods to the surface structure and the role of the resolution functions in the CTR measurements are discussed.

X-RAY-SCATTERING FROM A ROUGH-SURFACE AND DAMAGED LAYER OF POLISHED WAFERS

Theoretical and experimental investigations were performed to show the application of x-ray crystal truncation rod scattering combined with x-ray reflectivity in the measurements of surface roughness and near-surface damage of mechanochemically polished wafers. By fitting the measured crystal truncation rod curves it has been shown that polished wafers are divided into three parts -irregular steps on the surface, a damaged thin layer beneath the surface and a perfect bulk. The results show that the root mean square of the surface roughness of mechanochemically polished Fe-doped and/or S-doped InP wafers is one to two atom layers, and that the lateral correlation length of the surface roughness is about 3000-7500 Angstrom. The thickness of the damaged region is found to be about 1000 atom layers.

ESTIMATION OF THE STRAIN STATE OF GEXSI1-X/SI STRAINED-LAYER SUPERLATTICES BY DOUBLE-CRYSTAL X-RAY-DIFFRACTION

20-period strained-layer superlattices of nominal composition and width Ge0.2Si0.8 (5 nm)/Si(25 nm) and Ge0.5Si0.5 (5 nm)/Si(25 nm) were studied by double-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Ge content x was determined by computer simulation of the diffraction features from the superlattice. This method is shown to be independent of the relaxation of the superlattice. Alternatively, x can be obtained from the measured difference DELTAa/a in lattice spacing perpendicular to the growth plane. It is sensitive to the relaxation. Comparing the results obtained in these two different ways, information about the relaxation of the superlattices can be obtained.

KINEMATICAL STUDY OF GEXSI1-X/SI STRAINED-LAYER SUPERLATTICE BY A DOUBLE CRYSTAL X-RAY-DIFFRACTION METHOD

Two samples of nominal 20-period Ge0.20Si0.80(5 nm)/Si(25 nm) and Ge0.5Si0.5(5 nm)/Si(25 nm) strained-layer superlattices (SLSs) were studied by the double-crystal X-ray diffraction method. It is convenient to define the perpendicular strains relative to the average crystal. Computer simulations of the rocking curves were performed using a kinematical step model. An excellent agreement between the measured and simulated satellite patterns is achieved. The dependence of the sensitivity of the rocking curves to the structural parameters of the SLS, such as the alloying concentration x and the layer thicknesses and the L component of the reflection g = (HKL), are clearly demonstrated.

INVESTIGATION OF GAAS/SI MATERIAL BY X-RAY DOUBLE-CRYSTAL DIFFRACTION

GaAs epilayer films on Si substrates grown by molecular-beam epitaxy were investigated by the x-ray double-crystal diffraction method. The rocking curves were recorded for different diffraction vectors of samples. The results show that the unit-cell volumes of GaAs epilayers are smaller than that of the GaAs bulk material. The strained-layer superlattice buffer layer can improve the quality of the film, especially in the surface lamella. The parameter W' = W(expt)/(square-root \gamma-h\/gamma-0/sin 2-theta-B) is introduced to describe the quality of different depths of epilayers. As the x-ray incident angle is increased, W' also increases, that is, the quality of the film deteriorates with increasing penetration distance of the x-ray beam. Therefore, W' can be considered as a parameter that describes the degree of perfection of the epilayer along the depth below the surface. The cross-section transmission electron microscopy observations agree with the results of x-ray double-crystal diffraction.

Structures of an asymmetrically coupled double-well superlattice by double-crystal X-ray diffraction

An asymmetrically coupled (GaAs/AlAs/GaAs/AlAs)/GaAs (001) double-well supperlattice is studied by HRDCD (high resolution double-crystal X-ray diffractometry). The intensity of satellite peaks is modulated by wave packet of different sublayers. In the course of simulation, the satellite peaks in the vicinity of the node points of wave packet are very informative for precise determination of sublayer thickness and for improving accuracy.