Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing spectrometric properties (e.g., peak reflectivity, reflection curve width, and Bragg angle offset) of the K? emission line reflected narrowly off angle of the direct reflection of a bent crystal and in particular of a spherically bent quartz 200 crystal by analyzing the off-angle x-ray emission from a stronger emission line reflected at angles far from normal incidence. The bent quartz crystal can therefore accurately image argon K? x-rays at near-normal incidence (Bragg angle of approximately 81 degrees). The method is useful for in-situ calibration of instruments employing the crystal as a grating by first operating the crystal as a high throughput focusing monochromator on the Rowland circle at angles far from normal incidence (Bragg angle approximately 68 degrees) to make a reflection curve with the He-like x-rays such as the He-? emission line observed from a laser-excited plasma.

Abstract: For increasing the laser damage threshold (LDT) of diffraction gratings, particularly of multi-layer dielectric diffraction (MLD) gratings, the invention proposes a method for treating a diffraction grating to be used in a high energy laser apparatus having a first laser with the steps of providing the diffraction grating, providing a second treatment laser and irradiating the diffraction grating with laser light from the second treatment laser until the laser damage threshold of the diffraction grating has increased. Furthermore, the invention proposes a diffraction grating treated according to the method, as well as a laser system, which comprises such a diffraction grating.

Abstract: For increasing the laser damage threshold (LDT) of diffraction gratings, particularly of multi-layer dielectric diffraction (MLD) gratings, the invention proposes a method for treating a diffraction grating to be used in a high energy laser apparatus having a first laser with the steps of providing the diffraction grating, providing a second treatment laser and irradiating the diffraction grating with laser light from the second treatment laser until the laser damage threshold of the diffraction grating has increased. Furthermore, the invention proposes a diffraction grating treated according to the method, as well as a laser system, which comprises such a diffraction grating.

Abstract: An acoustic drum has various implementations for tuning, bracing, attachment, and snare strainer. These implementations are combined in differing configurations of the drum system. Certain aspects of some of the implementations are related to aspects of other of the implementations. For instance, a tuning implementation may use a particular attachment implementation, which in turn may use a certain bracing implementation. Because certain bracing implementations are used, a strainer implementation could be also used if the drum was a snare version. The implementations variously combine to affect performance and/or other esthetic qualities of the acoustic drum.

Abstract: An acoustic drum has various implementations for tuning, bracing, attachment, and snare strainer. These implementations are combined in differing configurations of the drum system. Certain aspects of some of the implementations are related to aspects of other of the implementations. For instance, a tuning implementation may use a particular attachment implementation, which in turn may use a certain bracing implementation. Because certain bracing implementations are used, a strainer implementation could be also used if the drum was a snare version. The implementations variously combine to affect performance and/or other esthetic qualities of the acoustic drum.

Abstract: An acoustic drum has various implementations for tuning, bracing, attachment, and snare strainer. These implementations are combined in differing configurations of the drum system. Certain aspects of some of the implementations are related to aspects of other of the implementations. For instance, a tuning implementation may use a particular attachment implementation, which in turn may use a certain bracing implementation. Because certain bracing implementations are used, a strainer implementation could be also used if the drum was a snare version. The implementations variously combine to affect performance and/or other esthetic qualities of the acoustic drum.