Development of an X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera for the Xingguang-III laser facility

Yang Lei; Huang Zheng; Sun Li; Lu Feng; Chen Yong; Li Gang; Zhou Kainan

doi:10.11884/HPLPB202638.250303

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Yang Lei, Huang Zheng, Sun Li, et al. Development of an X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera for the Xingguang-III laser facility[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250303

Citation:

Yang Lei, Huang Zheng, Sun Li, et al. Development of an X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera for the Xingguang-III laser facility[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250303

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Development of an X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera for the Xingguang-III laser facility

doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.250303

National Key Laboratory of Plasma Physics, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China

Received Date: 2025-09-19
Accepted Date: 2025-12-30
Rev Recd Date: 2026-01-22

Available Online: 2026-02-12

Abstract

Abstract

Background
Pinhole cameras based on the principle of pinhole imaging are widely used in high-energy-density physics experiments to monitor laser-target interaction regions. However, traditional pinhole cameras often suffer from signal acquisition failures due to the lack of online aiming capability, especially for small targets such as wire targets in facilities like the Xingguang-Ⅲ laser system.
Purpose
This study aims to develop an X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera for the Xingguang-Ⅲ laser facility, addressing the challenge of precise target alignment under vacuum conditions and enhancing the reliability of signal acquisition.
Methods
An integrated design combining a visible-light CCD and an X-ray CCD was implemented. A revolver-type pinhole adjustment device was developed to switch between aiming apertures and imaging pinholes with a concentricity error below 3.5 µm. High-precision two-dimensional pointing adjustments (pitch and tilt) were achieved using a motorized stage, with a targeting accuracy of 15 µm. The visible-light CCD enabled real-time target imaging, while different aperture sizes on a precision adjustment disk facilitated coarse-to-fine aiming.
Results
The camera was tested on the Xingguang-Ⅲ laser facility using a Cu planar target irradiated by a picosecond laser. Clear X-ray spot images were obtained, with a peak intensity of 52,040 and a background noise of approximately 2,500. The full width at half maximum of the spot was 43 µm horizontally and 38 µm vertically, confirming successful online aiming and imaging performance.
Conclusions
The developed X-ray online-aiming pinhole camera fulfills the operational requirements of the Xingguang-Ⅲ laser facility. It enables real-time, high-precision target alignment under vacuum, significantly improving the success rate of signal acquisition in high-energy-density physics experiments.
- pinhole camera,
- online-aiming,
- X-ray focal spot,
- Xingguang-Ⅲ laser facility

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References(17)

References

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