X-ray laser research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Nova laser facility

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.4.000575· OSTI ID:6712008

Matthews, D; Rosen, M; Brown, S; Ceglio, N; Eder, D; Hawryluk, A; Keane, C; London, R; MacGowen, B; Maxon, S

We describe our optical-laser-pumped x-ray laser program. Our long-term goal is to develop and utilize a fully coherent, gigowatt-power-level sub-44-A laser. To this end we have been studying the characteristics of the exploding-foil amplifier coupled with various inversion schemes: Ne-like and Ni-like collisional excitation as well as H-like three-body recombination. Most of our experimental results to date are for the Ne-like schemes; we have observed --15 laser transitions in Se, Y, and Mo having wavelengths from 26.3 to 10.6 nm. Output power to at least 1 MW has been observed for the Se J = 2 to 1 lines at 20.6 and 20.9 A along with geometrical divergence patterns for the beam. We have also observed time-dependent beam refraction from these amplifiers and have been able to demonstrate double-pass amplification by using a multilayer mirror operated at normal incidence. Future plans for improving beam coherence and producing lasing at wavelengths shorter than 44 A are discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6712008
• Journal Information: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN JOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMPLIFICATION
CHARGED PARTICLES
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EXPLOSIONS
FOILS
GAIN
INFORMATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IONS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
LAWRENCE LIVERMORE LABORATORY
MOLYBDENUM IONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NOVA FACILITY
NUMERICAL DATA
OPERATION
OPTICAL PUMPING
PLASMA
POPULATION INVERSION
PUMPING
RADIATIONS
RECOMBINATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SELENIUM IONS
SOFT X RADIATION
SPECTRA
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
X RADIATION
X-RAY LASERS
X-RAY SPECTRA
YTTRIUM IONS