A study of the interaction of x-rays and acoustic, stress and shock waves in solids

The primary emphasis of this thesis involves an investigation of techniques for the control and modulation of x-ray radiation through acoustic perturbation of solids. The use of x-ray diffraction and x-ray optical techniques for the study of acoustic fields and atomic motion was also investigated. Analysis of the basic properties of x-ray propagation in solids reveals that practical methods for x-ray control or modulation must involve changes in the spatial configuration of x-ray scatterers. Numerical methods for the study of x-ray propagation in acoustically perturbated crystals are formulated. In developing these methods special emphasis has been placed on Borrmann transmission in thick crystals. Modulation and shuttering (on a micro-second timescale) of x-rays are experimentally demonstrated. A quantitative investigation of the basic interactions used to produce modulation and shuttering is presented. Agreement between the experimental observations and the theoretical predictions is within experimental error. An analytical investigation of the basic potential and limitations of x-ray modulation shuttering and control devices is presented. Basic design criteria for x-ray modulation devices is formulated and applied to practical configurations