Abstract

Time- and space-resolved spectra of laser-produced aluminum plasma are observed with a framing crystal x-ray spectrometer. A massive slab Al target is irradiated by the fundamental or second-harmonic laser pulse from a Nd:glass system at a peak intensity of 8.5 ± 0.9 × 10¹⁴ W/cm². Population inversion are observed between the 4 and 3 levels of He-like Al for fundamental pumps and also between the 3 and 2 levels for the second harmonics. The origin of the 3– 2 inversion can be attributed to the higher initial electron density of the plasma produced by the second-harmonic pump. A discussion of reabsorption effects of the resonance line is given.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

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