Pb. Holden et al., RECOMBINATION X-RAY LOSERS DRIVEN BY SHORT PULSES, Journal of physics. B, Atomic molecular and optical physics, 28(13), 1995, pp. 2745-2756
A recent experiment demonstrating a gain length approximate to 6 in a
C VI laser at 182 Angstrom has revived interest in recombination as an
approach to soft x-ray lasing. A single 30 J beam of a 2ps CPA Nd-gla
ss laser was used to generate gains of 12.5 cm(-1) in a 5 mm carbon fi
bre. We extend earlier work on scaling laws to investigate the paramet
er space of the experiment, perform detailed simulations with a 1D Lag
rangian code and consider some aspects of the refraction properties of
the system. We investigate the extension of the scheme to longer leng
ths and to the shorter wavelength O vm laser. Both of these extensions
appear to create some difficulties which predominantly arise from the
limitations on the target length imposed by the short timescales of t
he gain. It appears, however, that in the case of carbon saturation sh
ould be attainable without the use of travelling wave pumping. We inve
stigate the role of impurities in oxygen targets (which are unavoidabl
y present) and conclude that the presence of impurities is generally d
etrimental, but need not be significantly damaging.