Abstract

Significant amplification in the EUV and soft x-ray spectral regimes have been demonstrated recently at a number of laboratories using very high power ICF class lasers as pump sources. We discuss in this paper the possibility of developing short wavelength lasers on a smaller scale by scaling the electron collisional scheme in nickel-like ions to lower Z. Additionally, we examine population inversions in neodynium-like ions as an alternate route towards a small scale soft x-ray laser.

We consider specifically the design of a transient nickel-like molybdenum collisional laser based on a 4d – 4p transition near 194 Å. Such a laser could be driven by a 10 Joule Nd:glass pump laser system. In addition we consider the extension of the electron collisional scheme to neodynium-like U, in which the monopole-excited 5f – 5d transition occurs near 71 Å.

© 1988 Optical Society of America