This paper summarises die main results obtained during the two experimental
campaigns on TCE X-ray lasers that we have carried out since the last Kyot
o X-ray laser Conference in 1998. A two-color (2 omega /1 omega) pumping co
nfiguration was tested and led to the observation of a strong lasing line a
t 16 nm, identified to a 4f-4d transition in Ni-like Ag. A strong x 300-400
enhancement of the 13.9 nm Ni-like 4d-4p lasing emission was obtained when
a traveling wave short pulse pumping was applied. Finally the temporal his
tory of the 13.9 nm laser pulse was measured with a high-resolution Streak
camera, A very short 2 ps X-ray laser pulse was directly demonstrated for t
he first time.