Systems and methods for providing laser sustained plasma light sources are disclosed. Further, the key tree construction and key distribution method for hierarchical role-based access control includes performing management such that a specific role group can obtain a data key by performing decryption based on its own role key by using both the key tree and the key table. The filter also includes a isolated electrode positioned between but spaced apart from the trap resonator and a local ground conductive layer. The x-ray source of the invention contains elements used to steer the electron beam and increase its focusing on the anode. Etching conditions prevent any metallization that is dissolved from redepositing, thus avoiding lowered yields. The method includes the steps of placing a sample in a heated furnace, heating the sample while measurements of sample weight are made, determining rate function from the sample weight measurements, producing a weight loss correction factor using the rate function and using the weight loss correction factor to obtain a corrected weight loss for the sample.