Using L-Shell X-Ray Spectra To Determine Conditions Of Non-Local Thermal Dynamic Equilibrium Plasmas

K-shell x-ray spectra of Li- to H-like ions have long been used to determine plasma conditions. The ratio of integrated line intensities is used to determine the temperature. At the density of non-local thermal dynamic equilibrium (NLTE) plasmas (n(e) approximate to 10(21) cm(-3)), the K-shell spectrum is not very sensitive to density. We propose using the L-shell emission of open L-shell ions (C- to Li-like) as an alternative to determine both temperature and density of NLTE plasmas. First, the L-shell models of a mid-Z material need to be verified against the temperatures obtained using a K-shell spectrum of a low-Z material. A buried layer platform is being developed at the OMEGA laser to study the open L-shell spectra of NLTE plasmas of mid-Z materials. Studies have been done using a 250 mu m diameter dot composed of a layer of 1200 angstrom thick Zn between two 600 angstrom thick layers of Ti, in the center of a 1000 mu m diameter, 13 mu m thick beryllium tamper. Lasers heat the target from both sides for up to 3 ns. The size of the emitting volume vs time was measured with x-ray imaging (face-on and side-on) to determine the density. The temperature was measured from the Ti K-shell spectra. The use of this platform for the verification of atomic L-shell models is discussed. Published by AIP Publishing.