Ni-like X-ray lasing action pumped by the TARANIS laser system

We Report on the Results of an Exp. Using the TARANIS Laser Syst. at Qu.'s Univ., Belfast (QUB) to Pump Ni-like X-Ray Lasers (XRLs) in the GRazing Incidence Pumped (GRIP) Configuration. the Syst. Uses A Long 1.2Ns Pulse to Create A Pre-plasma at the Correct Ionization Stage, and A Short, 800Fs Pulse to Produce A Pop. Inversion. Strong Lasing Has Been Observed for Ni-ions of Mo and Ag. Mo Exhibited Gain on Two Laser Lines, at 18.9Nm and 22.6Nm, Whilst only A Single Line, at 13.9Nm, Has Been Observed for Ag. the Growth Curves for Both Elements Are Presented. the Curve for Ag Indicates That Saturation Has Not Been Achieved. Saturation Like Behaviour is Seen for Mo but the Small Sign. Gain and Poor Fit to the Linford Formula Indicate That the Roll-off is Attributable to Some Effect Other Than Gain Saturation. Axial Non-uniformity in the Gain and Mis-match between the ASE Grp. Velocity and the Traveling-wave Excitation Are Discussed as Possible Explanations for the Shape of the Mo Growth Curve. Results of an Initial Applic. to Characterize Image Plate as A Soft X-ray Detector Are Presented And, Finally, Further Possible Applic., in Particular the Potential for the XRL to be Used as A Photon Src. for Thomson Scattering, Are Investigated. 2009 SPIE.