Long plasma columns produced in gas by axicon focusing of a table-top laser

摘要

We explore new ways to achieve high efficiency laser-driven XUV laser schemes with a Joule level picosecond table-top driving laser. One attractive possibility is the formation of long plasma columns in gas by refocusing and reusing the pump beam. We present the deisgn and experimental studies of a novel optic capable of repeated, high intensity refocusing of the pump beam.