Spectroscopic system for emission and absorption studies of laser produced plasmas in the extreme-ultraviolet

The experimental characterization of a stigmatic spectroscopic system for the diagnostics of laser-produced plasmas in the 50-450 angstrom spectral region is presented. The instrument provides stigmatic spectra for on-axis sources and fully preserves spectral resolution also for off-axis sources. Expected theoretical performances have been compared with experimental results. Spectral and spatial resolution capabilities have been proved to match the nominal ones theoretically predicted. A laser-produced plasma experiment has been also carried out to demonstrate the instrument capabilities. The use of a stigmatic spectrometer and an image detector gives spectrally and spatially resolved images of the plasma source. The good instrumental sensitivity and high dynamic range allow to acquire complete spectra in almost single-shot experiments.