ABSTRACT Capillary discharge soft X-ray laser, which is always called “table-top soft X-ray laser,” is one of the effective methods for miniaturization. The method is deemed to have experimental facility with practicable value. With capillary discharge mechanism, Ne-like Ar at 46.9 nm soft X-ray laser has been obtained, and the experimental results and the analyses are reported in this paper. Experimentally, a current pulse with the amplitude of 20 kA was used to excite three different gases: Ar, Kr, and N2. The signals were detected by an X-ray diode (XRD), and the emission spectra were monitored with a Rowland spectrograph. The J = 0–1 line and one 3d-3p transition of Ne-like Ar were detected, with wavelengths of 46.9 nm and 48.5 nm, respectively. Adjusting the pure Ar to the appropriate pressure, the authors found that the J = 0–1 line gains amplification, while 3d-3p does not. When the Ar pressure was 26 Pa, the J = 0–1 line completely dominated the spectrum. N2 and Kr were used as the materials of capillary discharge respectively. The spike signal was obtained by XRD, then the spectrum was detected by Rowland spectrograph, and the spectrum of Kr7+ was found.