MIT Short-Wavelength Laser Project: A Status Report

摘要

The goal of the MIT Short-Wavelength Laser Project is to develop a small-scale, high repetition rate, EUV laser suitable for practical applications. The present report summarizes recent progress in this effort, both experimental and theoretical. Our experimental work has dealt with development of the pump laser, design of the target chamber and the associated target alignment system, investigation of short-wavelength laser cavities, and design of appropriate EUV diagnostics. Our theoretical work has included a study of the kinetics of transiently pumped laser plasmas, the development of efficient numerical algorithms applicable to laser-plasma rate equations, an investigation of frequency mixing in the EUV, and an analysis of x-ray detection using GaAs quantum-well structures.