Pressure-Driven Laser Technology Advancements.

Researchers at the National Ignition Facility have used X-ray Thomson scattering to observe the onset of pressure-driven K-shell delocalization in beryllium, a phenomenon that occurs at gigabar pressures and is important for understanding the behavior of high energy density plasmas. The team used a target designed specifically for X-ray Thomson scattering experiments and a high-efficiency, gated spectrometer to measure the scattering spectra. The results provide insight into the behavior of matter at extreme densities and pressures, which is relevant for astrophysical and fusion energy research.