High Repetition Rate Table-Top Soft X-Ray Lasers in Capillary Discharges and Laser-Created Plasmas

Abstract

We discuss very recent advances in high repetition rate soft x‐ray lasers resulting from the use of two different types of hot dense plasmas: fast capillary discharges and laser‐created plasmas. We have demonstrated a new high repetition rate 46.9 nm capillary discharge laser that fits onto the surface area of a small desk and that operates at a relatively low voltage, therefore not requiring a Marx generator. Laser pulses with an energy of ∼ 13 μJ are generated at repetition rates up to 12 Hz. About (2–3)×104 laser shots can be generated with a single capillary. This new type of portable laser is an easily accessible source of intense short wavelength laser light for applications. We also discuss the demonstration of 5 Hz repetition rate table‐top soft x‐ray lasers producing microwatt average powers at wavelengths ranging from 13.2 to 33 nm. The results were obtained by collisional electron excitation of Ni‐like and Ne‐like ions in plasmas efficiently heated with a picosecond optical laser pulse impingin...