XUV EMISSION FROM AN ELONGATED PLASMA-COLUMN PRODUCED USING A HIGH-POWER LASER WITH A GAS PUFF TARGET

We report the first studies on the formation of an elongated plasma co lumn suitable for X-ray laser experiments, using a gas puff target irr adiated with a high-power laser. The gas puff targets, produced by pul sed injection of a small amount of gas from a high-pressure solenoid v alve through a nozzle in the form of a slit, have been characterized b y optical interferometry and X-ray backlighting. The formation of a ho t plasma column up to 30-mm-long is demonstrated. The spatial uniformi ty of the column was monitored by means of an X-ray pinhole camera. XU V spectra measurements for SF6 gas puff targets show predominant 3-2 l ine of hydrogenic fluorine (lambda = 8.1 nm), however, only linear inc reasing of its intensity with the target length was observed.