Normal incidence x-ray reflectors and resonant cavities for supporting laser action using the same

摘要

Mirror structures are described which provide high normal incidence reflectivities at x-ray wavelengths (such as soft x-ray wavelengths in the range 70 A to 300 A) where conventional metallic reflectors can not function. The mirror is made up of an array of repeated periods each consisting of monoatomic metallic layers and Langmuir-Blodgett hydrocarbon molecular layers. The mirror may also include additional Langmuir-Blodgett bilayers serving as spacer layers and/or additional reflection-enhancing metal films. The various layers are systematically deposited in such a way that, first, the mirror structures are periodic, and second, that the average separation between metallic layers maximizes the reflectance at the design wavelength. Such mirror structures can be configured to define a resonant cavity to support x-ray laser action.