Theory and design of soft X-ray laser experiments at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Abstract

Recent progress in the design and analysis of soft X-ray laser experiments at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is reviewed. The modelling of optical laser irradiated targets used to produce X-ray lasers is discussed. Two types of atomic inversion schemes have been explored-collisional excitation in neon-like and nickel-like ions, and recombination in lithium-like and hydrogen-like ions. Results for each scheme are discussed and compared with experimental data. The authors describe work on X-ray optics, including refraction by electron density gradients in the lasing plasma, techniques for increasing spatial coherence and the use of multilayer mirrors to improve laser efficiency and coherence.

Measurement of the spatial coherence of a soft-x-ray laser

“…These profiles are calculated [19] and are representative of the conditions at the peak of the x-ray laser pulse. The computed |CCF| perpendicular to the foil using WAVE is also shown in Fig.…”

Angular divergence and spatial coherence of X-ray laser radiation

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Dynamics of a multiple-pulse-driven x-ray laser plasma

“…With the spatial gain and n e profiles, we perform ray propagation calculations to match the simulations with actual observable quantities such as laser output intensities. For this purpose we can use SPECTRE, 21,22 which calculates time-dependent ray trajectories.…”