X-Ray Lasers, Operation and Applications

Abstract

Since the first demonstration of soft X-ray lasing in 1985 [1, 2], significant progress has been made in X-ray lasers. Laser action has been observed at wavelengths as short as 3.5 nm. The most successful X-ray laser to date has been obtained using a collisional excitation of an active medium and a high power laser operated in the visible range as a pump source. Current research is focused on several fronts, however, the most important problem are improvement in gain efficiency, and the enhancement of brightness and coherence of X-ray laser beams. Many applications of X-ray lasers have been realized and expansion in this field can be anticipated. One may say that now we are transitioning from the discovery phase into the era of optimization and applications of X-ray lasers. Comprehensive information about achievements in this field during past few years can be found in the proceedings of a number of conferences on X-ray lasers [3-5] and in the technical papers referred therein.