X-ray 3D Imaging of Low-Density Laser-Target Materials

Achieving optimal design and precise control of the internal structure of laser-target materials are the primary objectives in various laser physics experiments, particularly in generating high flux photon and neutron beams. The study of low-density materials poses considerable challenges for X-ray analysis due to their high transparency and minimal contrast. In this study, to obtain clear visualization of foams with sparse structures, we used phase-contrast X-ray tomography, utilizing a high-quality monochromatic X-ray beam from the synchrotron radiation source PETRA-III at DESY. Employing phase-contrast algorithms, the 3D structure of a foam-suspended glass microsphere inside the plastic cylinder was reconstructed with a level of image quality sufficient to visualize uniformity, displacement, and surface roughness on both sides of the microsphere. The primary focus of this investigation was a CH plastic capillary including 10 mg/cc CHO foam with a glass microsphere positioned at the center. The results of this study demonstrate that phase-contrast X-ray tomography with coherent synchrotron radiation is an effective and valuable technique for the development of new laser targets containing structured low-density materials.