Inelastic X-ray Scattering for Warm Dense Matter Studies

The warm dense matter regime is currently of interest due to applications in astrophysics, planetary science and inertial fusion. Characteristic densities of order solid density and temperatures of a few electron volts preclude traditional approaches from classical plasma or solid state physics, since strong Coulombic interactions, electron degeneracy and large temperatures are present. Inelastic x-ray scattering offers a powerful diagnostic method for characterizing the densities and temperatures of warm, dense systems. We summarize this approach and present recent data from experiments performed on the Jupiter laser, using laser-produced K-alpha x-rays to probe shock compressed matter.