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.