Abstract

Soft X-rays are produced owing to high intensity pulsed lasers irradiating solid targets. This project report centres on the interaction of soft X-rays with a multi-electron atom potassium carbide (K₂C₂) in which absorption index,, and the refractive index decrement, , of potassium (K), carbon (C) and potassium carbide (K₂C₂) are calculated.  Reflectivties of each material over a range of X-ray photon energy of 10-30000 eV are considered and graphs of reflectivity as a function of photon energy are presented photon energy range for each material is selected to include absorption edge regions. Reflectivity is enhanced when X-rays impinge on K₂C₂ this shows great promises as a possible, suitable target material for nanometre measurement, required in radio biological studies; hence K₂C₂ is considered as a potential optical component for achieving grazing incidence necessary for high resolution X-ray optics.

Key words: X-rays, reflectivity, absorption index, refractive index decrement, grazing incidence.