Soft x-ray lasing in Li-like iron by resonant photo-pumping

Abstract

We propose a new laser scheme based on resonant photo-pumping of Li-like ions using Lyman α radiation. The radiation from the 2p 3 2 −1s 1 2 transition in H-like aluminum is used to pump both the 5p 1 2 and 5p 3 2 levels in Li-like iron ions. Population inversions between the n = 5 and 4 levels result in gains for the transitions at the wavelenths of approx. 70 Å. We present calculations for the gains of these transitions in steady-state equilibrium plasmas and laser exploding foil targets.