A Photoabsorption Experiment on Transient Laser Excited Low Z Ions in the Soft X-Rays

The technique of using two laser produced plasmas for absorption spectroscopy of ionic species has been greatly improved. A new signal detection system and a new data processing technique have been implemented in the experiment. This experimental technique has been applied to the absorption spectroscopy of transient moderately charged ions. The absorption spectra of the is electron of the Be IV, III, II, I ions with their relative photoionization spectra in the soft X-ray range are reported. Some preliminary results on the carbon ions are briefly discussed