APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING SOFT X-RAY LASING ACTION IN A CONFINED PLASMA COLUMN THROUGH THE USE OF A PICOSECOND LASER

摘要

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING SOFT X-RAY LASINGACTION IN A CONFINED PLASMA COLUMN THROUGH THE USE OFA PICOSECOND LASERABSTRACTSoft X-ray lasing action may be obtained byfocusing a high power, picosecond laser pulse on a confinedplasma column. The plasma column is created by focusing aCO2 laser pulse on a target such as carbon. A strongcylindrical magnetic field contains the plasma and causesit to assume the shape of a column. While the plasmacolumn is cooling rapidly due to radiation losses, a secondhigh power laser with a duration time of approximately 1picosecond is focused Along the central part of the plasmacolumn. The powerful picosecond laser provides strongselective excitation of the ions for enhancement populationinversion and the creation of high gain for X-ray lasingaction. According to alternative embodiments, other multi-Zelements such as molybdenum, aluminum and krypton can beused to create a lasing medium in the plasma column.