Proof-of-principle experiment for a hot electron pumped XUV amplifier

Conference · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-8949/41/6/019· OSTI ID:5726450

Goldstein, W.; Price, D.; Rosen, M.; Clark, A.; Cerjan, C.; Fields, D.; Slivinsky, V.

An X-ray laser scheme was recently proposed based on the pumping of neonlike 3s-3p transitions using inner-shell ionization of sodium-like ions by suprathermal electrons. Since this laser operates in principle with no population in the neonlike charge-state, power requirements can be reduced from the standard collisionally driven amplifier, and the problem of line-trapping can be ameliorated. Model calculations using a quasi-steady state collisional-radiative model indicated that measurable gains could be obtained in practical experiments. We propose a proof-of-principle experiment to demonstrate the pumping of neonlike excited states by hot electrons. An {approximately}1 ns long, 0.53 {mu} laser beam, will be focused on a solid dot target of dilute bromine, to create a cool, dense plasma. The pulse and target will be optimized to produce as much sodiumlike population as possible in the corona. This low-fluence green pulse does not produce suprathermals. A second, {approximately}100 ps, 1.06 m pulse of 10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2} will be piggybacked'' on the first, to create hot electrons. The timing of the red beam will be optimized with respect to the sodiumlike fraction of the cool plasma. The hot electrons create a transient population of neonlike ions, coincident with the red beam, that are detected by their characteristic n=3 to n=2 resonant X-ray emission. If, as expected while the red beam is present, the neonlike excited states are produced by inner-shell ionization (as opposed to collisional excitation), n=3-2 line ratios will carry a distinctive signature indicating a statistical feeding mechanism. The same signature will imply the existence of a population inversion. Proposed detection systems include space and time resolving crystal X-ray spectrometers for measuring the neonlike lines, and an array of filtered X-ray diodes to measure suprathermal electron temperature and number. 10 refs., 11 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5726450
• Report Number(s): UCRL-100906; CONF-8907130-4; ON: DE90000820
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 41; Journal Issue: 6; Conference: 9. vacuum ultraviolet radiation conference, Honolulu, HI (USA), 17-21 Jul 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
X-RAY LASERS
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
BEAM DYNAMICS
BROMINE
CHARGE STATE
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DETECTION
ELECTRONS
EXCITED STATES
FEEDING
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GAIN
IONIZATION
KINETICS
L CODES
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
POWER AMPLIFIERS
PULSES
PUMPING
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TARGETS
X-RAY SPECTROMETERS
AMPLIFICATION
AMPLIFIERS
COMPUTER CODES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
HALOGENS
LASERS
LEPTONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NONMETALS
PLANNING
PLASMA
SIMULATION
SPECTROMETERS
420300* - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)