Optimization of X-ray backlighting for experiments on Z

Sandia National Laboratories' Z-Backlighter laser facility is using a laser driven monochromatic X-ray crystal imaging concept at the manganese He-alpha energy of 6.151 keV to backlight experiments for High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) on the `Z'-Facility, the world's most powerful pulsed power engine and X-ray source. To further improve the reliability and efficiency of this tool, a series of experiments has been performed to determine the system's sensitivity to parameter variations such as changes in target properties, pre-pulse levels, pre-pulse separation or pulse energy. In addition, an improved hardware set has been developed to enhance the precision and robustness of the target setup for transport between pre-alignment and final shot implementation.