Optimization of single-stage x-ray laser coherence

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Physical Review A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.47.4348· OSTI ID:6887487

Amendt, P; London, R A ^[1]; Strauss, M ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
2. Physics Department, Nuclear Research Centre-Negev, Beer Sheva 84190 (Israel)

The effect of smoothly varying transverse gain and refraction profiles on x-ray laser coherence is analyzed by modally expanding the laser electric field within the paraxial approximation. Comparison with a square transverse profile reveals that smoothly varying profiles generally lead to a greatly reduced number of guided modes and a consequent improvement in transverse coherence length. However, the refractive defocusing responsible for enhanced coherence can also significantly degrade the coherent power of plasma x-ray lasers based on amplified spontaneous emission. A critical value of the Fresnel number is indicated, below which the coherent power rapidly decreases as refractive defocusing is increased. A parameter study of transverse coherence for current or planned x-ray laser experiments is provided. Comparison with ray-optics scaling laws for transverse coherence length and coherent power is made. An optimal coherent energy output of nearly 0.5 mJ in 100 psec is determined in Ni-like Ta at a wavelength of 45 A for a saturated single-stage x-ray laser. A favorable comparison with coherent energy requirements for holographic imaging of biological samples is indicated.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6887487
• Journal Information: Physical Review A; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review A; (United States) Vol. 47:5; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
426002* -- Engineering-- Lasers & Masers-- (1990-)
AMPLIFICATION
CHARGED PARTICLES
COHERENCE LENGTH
COHERENT PRODUCTION
DIMENSIONS
GAIN
INTERACTIONS
IONS
LASERS
LENGTH
OPTIMIZATION
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
REFRACTION
TANTALUM IONS
TESTING
VALIDATION
X-RAY LASERS