Review of radiation pumped soft x-ray lasers

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Three approaches to the problem of EUV and soft X-ray lasers are being pursued experimentally at the NOVETTE and OMEGA laser facilities. Photoionization pumping of neon gas may lead to a self- terminating population inversion in Ne II at 27 eV, and experiments planned at OMEGA are planned to observe amplified emission. Line radiation may be used to drive an inversion in helium-like or hydrogen- like fluorine and neon at energies between 53.6 and 151 eV. We have carried out an exploratory experimental sequence on NOVETTE designed to test integral laser targets. Experience gained points the way towards a second generation target design and future coincident spectroscopy and integral laser experiments. A third approach involves collisional excitation of 3p leading to a 3p-3s inversion near 68 eV. The scheme was tested at NOVETTE, and a null result obtained, which may be explained by beam bending caused by large index of refraction gradients. Phase correction is proposed as an improvement for the scheme.