LASER-DRIVEN SOFT X-RAY LASING IN COPPER AND GERMANIUM PLASMAS

Soft x-ray lasing has been achieved for the first time on 3p-3s transitions in neon-like copper (Cul9+) and germanium (Ge22+). The elongated lasant plasma was produced using the NRL Pharos III laser operating at λ = 1.05 µm, 300-480 J with a pulse duration of 2 ns. Lasing was observed in the wavelength interval 196 to 286 Å for J = 2 → 1 and J = 0 → 1 lines, using both thin film and thick slab targets