Abstract

A series of experiments with H-like carbon has been performed using a Nd/Glass laser ( maximum output energy is 100 J in 3 nsecs ) in a line focus configuration. The maximum gain observed was 8.1 cm⁻¹ using 25 J laser energy. This work is an initial step toward the development of a soft x-ray amplifier for the presently operating C VI 182 Å soft x-ray laser in a CO₂ laser produced plasma confined in a magnetic field.

The possibility of lasing action at 187.2 Å in Li-like Mg X, 154.7 Å in Li-like Al XI, and 129 Å in Li-like Si XII in a magnetically confined recombing plasma has been also investigated. A CO₂ laser was focused onto a target assembly and the resulting plasma confined in a solenoidal magnet field up to 9 Tesla. Impurities such as iron or titanium were introduced to increase the cooling in the recombination phase to produce more favorable conditions for high gain. Gain-length products of 1 ~ 2 at 187.2 Å in Mg X, 3 ~ 4 at 154.7 Å in Al XI, and 1 ~ 2 at 129 Å in Si XII were observed. To better understand plasma dynamics, a one-dimensional hydro-atomic code has been developed to simulate the experiment. The comparison between experiments and computer simulation will be discussed.

© 1988 Optical Society of America