Observation of multi-pulse soft x-ray lasing in a fast capillary discharge

We have designed, fabricated and tested a soft x-ray device, which uses a c apillary discharge to achieve neon-like argon lasing. The ceramic capillary has an inner diameter of 3 mm and a length of 150 mm. When operating the d evice with a current of 16 kA and dI/dt of 517.8 A ns(-1) at gas pressure o f 26.7 Pa, lasing has been confirmed. Multi-pulse laser output has also bee n observed with a slightly higher current of 17.5 kA, and this indicates th at there exist several configurations suitable for the Ne-like Ar lasing du ring one pinch process. This is the first observation of multi-pulse laser output.