Methods and apparatus for producing soft x-ray laser in a capillary discharge plasma
This paper describes an electrically powered apparatus for generation of soft x-ray radiation. It comprises: pressure vessel means for enclosing a capillary structure; the capillary structure having an inner surface of a material which is ionizable by an electric discharge and a large length-to-diameter ratio; a first electrode which is located in one end of the capillary structure, has a first voltage, is electrically connected to an electrical discharge circuit and further comprising at least one hole for exiting laser radiation generated in the capillary structure; a second electrode which is located in the other end of the capillary structure, has a voltage different from the voltage of the voltage of the first electrode, and is electrically connected to the electrical discharge circuit; and an electrical discharge circuit having a low inductance circuit configuration for providing a current pulse which, when passed through the capillary structure having a large length-to-diameter ratio, generates both a plasma and a magnetic field which helps confine the plasma to a small diameter, achieve a high degree of ionization, promote generation of population inversions in the plasma and avoid tapping of lower laser level radiation by resonant absorption in the radial direction of the capillary so that the laser's lower levels can be depopulated by radiative decay and thereby serve to generate soft x-ray radiation.
- Assignee:
- NOV; NOV-90-030138; EDB-90-157978
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4937832; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US s 7-374369
- OSTI ID:
- 6803739
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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