Abstract

In X-ray laser experiments two types of array line focus system, i.e., cylindrical lens array (CLA),¹ and segmented wedge array (SWA)² were used to achieve uniformity along the line focus length. It is known that the SWA is restricted by the fixed line length, and the multibeam interference between adjacent beam segments may cause nonuniformity. The purpose of this paper is to improve the SWA design. The main results include:

1. The prototype SWA proposed by Villeneuve has been improved to obtain a variable line focus length.

2. A SWA setup, which allows the variable line length, has been built up and the experimental results are given.

3. Detailed numerical calculations have been performed and then compared with our experiment, showing a good consistency.

4. Based on the diffraction analysis³ and the principle of polarization control plate⁴, a method of using the polarization control and regular phase distribution is presented, which delivers a further suppression of interference speckles, as compared with the random phase plate and/ or polarization control method.

© 1995 IEEE