Transition radiation as a coherent soft X-ray source

A series of experiments performed at the LLNL using 54-MeV electrons to irradiate thin-foil targets has demonstrated the spatially coherent nature of soft X-ray transition radiation. Results of measurements and calculations demonstrate both the intrafoil and interfoil coherence of transition radiation in multiple-foil targets. It is noted that coherent behavior results in distinctive angular distributions that are accurately predicted by theoretical calculations. Possible applications of the present work are the investigation of the X-ray optical constants of thin foils and the development of a spatially coherent tunable soft X-ray laser.