Abstract

Maintaining plasma uniformity is an essential requirement for successful x-ray laser designs. In this work we focus on a Z-pinch-driven neonlike krypton x-ray laser design for which we (1) investigate the role of initial mass loading in affecting plasma uniformity and gain and (2) show that there are advantages in terms of plasma uniformity to diluting a krypton plasma with a low-Z material such as helium. These results are obtained by using a one-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic model. The results of this study show that low-mass 100% krypton plasmas are optimal for achieving significant gain while maintaining plasma integrity. Diluting a krypton plasma with helium has the advantage of improving plasma uniformity, but it has the disadvantages of enhanced collisionality and line broadening, which are associated with the additional free electrons.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

Soft-x-ray spectra of krypton xxiv–xxvii in gas puff Z-pinch plasmas

R. E. Stewart, D. D. Dietrich, R. J. Fortner, and R. Dukart
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 4(3) 396-404 (1987)

Modeling picosecond-laser-driven neonlike titanium x-ray laser experiments

Joseph Nilsen, Yuelin Li, and James Dunn
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 17(6) 1084-1092 (2000)

Predicted four-wave mixing and tripling rates for neonlike yttrium x-ray laser radiation in sodiumlike plasmas

Martin H. Muendel, Peter L. Hagelstein, and Luiz B. Da Silva
Appl. Opt. 31(24) 4969-4972 (1992)

Picosecond-laser-driven gas puff neonlike argon x-ray laser

James Dunn, Raymond F. Smith, Joseph Nilsen, Henryk Fiedorowicz, Andrzej Bartnik, and Vyacheslav N. Shlyaptsev
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 20(1) 203-207 (2003)

Radio-frequency-preionized xenon z-pinch source for extreme ultraviolet lithography

Malcolm McGeoch
Appl. Opt. 37(9) 1651-1658 (1998)