SOFT-X-RAY PULSE GENERATION FROM FEMTOSECOND LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA WITH REDUCED DEBRIS USING A METAL-DOPED GLASS TARGET

We have demonstrated soft x-ray short pulse generation from femtosecon d laser-produced plasma with much lower debris using metal-doped glass as a target. Soft x-ray emission (50-200 Angstrom) from a gold-doped glass target was about 40% of that from a solid gold target while the density of gold in the doped-glass was less than 0.001 vol % and the t arget was transparent at the wavelength of the laser light. Due to the low metal density, the particulate deposition, which is one of the se rious obstacles to putting laser-produced plasma x-ray into practical use, was greatly reduced by the use of metal-doped glass as a target. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.