Extreme ultraviolet - Vacuum ultraviolet spectrum detection using image plates

A new detection system for extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic measurements, in the energy range of 7-2500 eV, is demonstrated. A photonstimulated luminescence mechanism in BaFBr:Eu²⁺, previously used in image plates (IPs) for hard x rays and particle beam detection, is used for detecting the XUV-VUV spectra. The IP detection system proved to be one to two orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional photographic glass plates. The measured dynamic range of the IP system (four to five orders of magnitude) is wider than any other available XUV recording media. The internal resolution of the IP system (50 μm) is slightly lower than photographic glass plate resolution, restricted by scattering processes in the IP during their readout procedure. Theoretically, much higher resolution (∼5 μm) could be obtained in the XUV-VUV region by using thinner IPs with better scanning systems. Image plates are flexible, easy to handle, and reusable. No dark room loading and developing conditions are needed and good reproducibility is obtained. All these characteristics make the image plate a very suitable recording medium for XUV-VUV spectroscopy.