Abstract

The use of optical-field ionization (OFI) allows to control both an ion state and electron energy distribution, which is of importance for x-ray lasers. We previously reported the observation of gain on the 13.5-nm Lyman-α transition of H-like Li ions by OFI of a performed Li⁺ plasma. The scaling of the required laser intensity with the OFI x-ray laser wavelength predicts that an UV laser intensity with the OFI x-ray laser wavelength predicts that an UV laser intensity of more than 10¹⁸ W/cm² is necessary to teach water window wavelengths. At these intensities nonlinear interactions between the laser pulse and the plasma may have deleterious effects on the x-ray laser scheme.

© 1996 Optical Society of America