Radiation transfer in the spectra of short-pulse laser-heated targets

The conditions in laser-produced plasmas are frequently determined with x-ray spectroscopy by comparing calculated to measured spectra. Line spectra from K-shell transitions of low- to mid-atomic number elements are most often used since the important physical processes are well understood and reliable spectra can be readily measured and calculated. Radiation transfer effects due to large optical depths of strong lines can influence the spectra. In this work, the effects of radiation transfer on the emission spectra of short-laser pulse-heated targets are studied. The possible errors made in inferring electron temperature by not including radiation transfer are quantified. The inclusion of radiative transfer in spectral calculations improves the accuracy of typical temperature diagnostics and allows the use of strong lines for diagnostics.