The Sandia x‐ray laser program is based on the intense keV radiation produced by stagnating gas puff implosions. The laser scheme uses this radiation to photoionize Ne‐like ions to F‐like ions, and produce a 3p‐3s population inversion via recombination. An annular stagnation shell is used to separate the pump from the lasant. Converter technology is being developed to try the Na‐Ne line matching scheme. Experimental and computational results will be presented.