Abstract

We have demonstrated the use of a low energy prepulse to enhance the soft-x-ray emission of laser produced plasmas in a parameter range which has been used to pump photoionization lasers. We present data on conversion efficiency and output pulse duration as a function of input intensity, pulselength, and prepulse conditions. Our goal in these studies is to allow the design of more efficient short-wavelength photoionization lasers, and to achieve high repetition rate operation of these lasers in the near future.

© 1988 Optical Society of America