Population inversion and gain measurements for soft X-ray laser development in a magnetically confined plasma column
Abstract
Population inversion and gain measurements from an experimental investigation of potential high gain and lasing action in the soft X-ray region are presented. A CO2 laser of about 0.5 kJ was focused onto a target of solid carbon or teflon or of CO2, O2, or Ne gas and the resulting plasma was confined in a 50-90 kG magnetic field. Spectroscopic diagnostics with absolute intensity calibration was used to measure level populations. Results indicating the effectiveness of radiation losses for plasma cooling are given along with preliminary results on the enhancement of the C VI 182 A line intensity which, if due to stimulated emission, would correspond to a gain of four. An observation of population inversion in Li-like C IV, O VI, F VII, and Ne VIII ions is also presented.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Pub Date:
- December 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1109/JQE.1983.1071803
- Bibcode:
- 1983IJQE...19.1855S
- Keywords:
-
- Laser Plasma Interactions;
- Laser Plasmas;
- Lasing;
- Population Inversion;
- Power Gain;
- X Ray Lasers;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Laser Pumping;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Radiant Cooling;
- Lasers and Masers