Theoretical and experimental investigations of spectral and temporal properties of seeded soft x-ray lasers

Abstract

We present in this paper theoretical and experimental investigations of temporal and spectral properties of seeded soft x-ray lasers. Bloch-Maxwell simulations of the harmonic pulse propagation in a soft x-ray laser plasma have been performed. Results show a growing wake of coherent radiation formed after the harmonic pulse.We describe the first measurement of the spectral bandwidth of a seeded soft x-ray laser. Using a varying path difference interferometer the spectral profile of a seeded OFI x-ray laser has been experimentally determined, leading to a Fourier-transform pulse duration of 5ps. The measured bandwidth is in good agreement with simulations. Finally we present the progress toward the implementation of a seeded soft x-ray laser at 18.9 nm at the new LASERIX facility.