Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 July 2004
Ultrashort pulsed hard X rays are generated by focusing an intense femtosecond laser beam onto metal targets. Kα emissions are obtained from a Cu target. Picosecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction is performed to investigate structural dynamics of laser-shocked semiconductors using the laser plasma X-ray pulses. Lattice deformation associated with shock-wave propagation is directly observed. Evolution of strain profiles inside the crystal is determined without disturbance from the time-resolved X-ray diffraction patterns.