Statistical investigations of the beam stability of the double-pass amplified zinc soft X-ray laser at 21.2 nm

At the Prague asterix laser system (PALS) of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic the 1-TW asterix iodine laser is used as a pump source for soft X-ray laser experiments. The prepulse technique was applied which is known to enhance the X-ray laser output at the J=0-1 transition dramatically. Since Zn slab targets were used the laser wavelength was 21.2 nm. A prepulse beam having 1.6 J was preceding the main pulse by 10 ns. The main and the prepulse beam are focused by two different optical systems separately. Implementing a half-cavity set-up for double-pass amplification using a Mo/Si multilayer mirror the X-ray laser output was 10 times stronger than at single pass amplification in a 3-cm long plasma. Double-pass amplification was observed to be most efficient when the pump pulse duration was at least 120 ps longer than the round trip time in the half-cavity. Under this fundamental condition the X-ray laser reached saturation in the double-pass regime containing 4 mJ energy what is proved to be enough for applications. In this contribution the X-ray laser features like divergence in two dimensions, the beam quality (symmetry), the pointing angle and the time-integrated output energy are investigated over more than 100 shots. To characterize the stability of the X-ray laser the shot distribution, the mean value and the standard deviation for these parameters are evaluated. For 18 shots in a series -- achieved during one single day -- the corresponding values are given and detailed chi-squared tests characterize the Zn X-ray laser as a robust tool suitable for applications. At PALS soft X-ray laser beam time can be reserved for external research groups.Received: 16 April 2003, Published online: 5 August 2003PACS: 42.55.Vc X- and -ray lasers - 42.60.Da Resonators, cavities, amplifiers, arrays, and rings - 42.60.Jf Beam characteristics: profile, intensity, and power; spatial pattern formation     

Photodissociation and photoionization of sodium coated C $_\mathsf{60}$ clusters

At the Prague Asterix Laser System Center (PALS) the Asterix iodine laser delivering up to 700 J/0.5 ns is used as a pump source for X-ray laser experiments and applications. The prepulse technique was applied which is known to improve the neon-like X-ray laser output at the J = 0-1 transition dramatically. Since Zn slab targets were used the operating wavelength was 21.2 nm. A prepulse having up to 20 J precedes the main pulse by 10 ns. The main beam and the prepulse beam are focussed by two different optical systems separately and their foci are superimposed at the target surface. By implementing a half-cavity set-up for double-pass amplification using a Mo/Si multilayer mirror - which can be used for more than 100 shots - the X-ray laser output was more than 10 times stronger than at the single pass in a 30 mm long plasma. Double-pass amplification was observed to be most efficient when the pump pulse duration was at least 150 ps longer than the round trip time ( ≈ 260 ps) in the half-cavity. Under this fundamental condition the X-ray laser reached saturation in the double-pass regime containing approx. 4 mJ energy which has been proved to be enough for future applications. In this contribution, the X-ray laser features like divergence in two dimensions, the beam quality (symmetry), the pointing angle and the integrated intensity giving an estimation of the output energy are investigated over 110 shots. To characterize the stability of the X-ray laser the shot distribution, the mean value and the standard deviation for these parameters are evaluated. For 18 shots in a series - what was achievable during one day - the corresponding values are given, and a statistical analysis carrying out a chi-squared test characterize the Zn X-ray laser as a robust tool suitable for applications. In the future it is planned to allocate X-ray laser beam time to external research groups. Received 17 May 2002 / Received in final form 10 September 2002 Published online 6 November 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: praeg@fzu.cz     

反射镜多靶串接增益饱和软X光激光实验

利用Mo/Si多层膜软X光反射镜实现了类氖锗软X光激光的双程放大,在顺接双靶总长28mm时,加与不加反射镜相比,软X光激光输出强度增强了40倍左右,已接近饱和;光束发散角减小,增益区厚度变薄,光束的空间相干性改善。当串接四靶总长为56mm时,加与不加反射的软X光激光输出强度没有明显的差异,表明已达到深度的增益饱和。     

Collisional excitation soft X-ray laser at 23.6 nm in a laser-produced cylindrical target

We have tested soft X-ray lasing in neon-like germanium with cylindrical targets where wave guiding and plasma confinement may affect lasing. An intense soft X-ray laser beam of 0.05 MW peak power and a narrow beam divergence (8 mrad) was produced at 23.6 nm with a 4 cm long straight cylindrical target of 0.72 mm inner diameter. Bending the cylindrical target to form a toroidal shape increased the lasing intensity by a factor of 3 accompanied with reduction of the beam divergence from 8 to 6 mrad.     

Intensity distribution of a capillary-discharge 46.9 nm soft X-ray laser

We realize a Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm soft X-ray laser pumped by a capillary discharge. The study of the laserpulse-intensity distribution is important for applications of soft X-ray lasers. The intensity distribution demonstrates the gain distribution, plasma radius, and axial plasma density that contribute to the study of the laser-pulse formation. To measure the intensity in different positions of the X-ray laser spot, we moved transversally an X-ray diode (XRD) assembled with a slit. We obtain the onedimensional intensity distribution. We find a laser divergence (FWHM) of 4.0 mrad. According to the gain-guided model, we calculate the intensity distribution. The measured divergence of 4.0 mrad roughly corresponds to a plasma radius a approximately equal to 230–250 μm and on-axis electron density n _e ≈ 8.0?10¹⁸ ?9.0?10¹⁸ cm ^?3. The results of calculations indicate that the divergence of the intensity distribution increases when the plasma radius decreases and the on-axis electron density increases.     

毛细管放电69.8nm激光强度空间分布特性研究

报道了毛细管放电69.8 nm软X射线激光的光强分布特性. 实验中所用毛细管长度为35 cm, 放电主脉冲电流幅值为11.5 kA, 放电初始气压为14-16 Pa. 测得的光斑强度分布由两部分构成, 在中心有一个占光强绝大部分的主峰, 其发散角约为0.4 mrad, 边缘还有两个小的离轴峰, 峰-峰发散角约为1.5 mrad. 理论上采用几何光学近似的方法对其光强分布进行计算, 光斑如此小的发散角主峰的出现, 可能主要是由于毛细管放电过程中电子密度在轴心处具有轻微凹陷造成的.     

基于双程放大的毛细管放电69.8 nm激光增益特性

建立了类氖氩C线69.8 nm激光的双程放大实验后反射腔结构,利用45 cm长毛细管作为放电负载得到了其双程放大输出.在相同初始实验条件下,分别测量了单程放大输出与双程放大输出的激光脉冲光强、脉冲宽度以及激光束散角.通过对比单程与双程输出实验结果,利用双程放大激光光强的计算公式,分析得到了增益持续时间大于4 ns,以及增益在毛细管径向上的分布特点.以上结果为建立谐振腔进行毛细管放电类氖氩激光的多程放大实验奠定了基础.     

Generation of soft X rays in a vircator with exploding anode foil

A soft X-ray generator is designed on the basis of a vircator the plasma anode of which is formed by electrical explosion of anode foil. The intensity of soft X-ray radiation (E _γ > 20 eV) produced by vircators with a metal and plasma anode is measured. Microwave pulses indicating the presence of a virtual cathode in the plasma beam are detected.     

Non-paraxial theory of self-defocusing/focusing of a laser pulse in a multiple-ionizing gas

The self-focusing of a laser pulse through a tunnel ionizing gas (helium) has been studied in both non-relativistic and relativistic regimes, relaxing the near-axis approximation. In the non-relativistic regime, the laser pulse produces multiple ionization of the gas and faces strong defocusing due to the steep radial density gradient caused by the same. The uneven defocusing of paraxial and marginal rays leads to a beam acquiring a ring shaped intensity distribution. In the relativistic regime, the laser pulse produces fully ionized plasma within a few wave periods, subsequently the relativistic mass effect and the ponderomotive force induced electron cavitation cause periodic self-focusing. PACS 52.38.Hb; 42.65.Jx     

Characterization of the 46.9-nm soft X-ray laser beam from a capillary discharge

Intense lasing had been obtained from argon plasma in the soft X-ray region from a capillary discharge plasma system. Different diagnostics have been used to characterize the lasing properties by recording the temporal, spatial, and spectral profiles of the emission. The divergence measurement indicates that the soft X-ray laser beam has good directionality with a divergence of 3.5 mrad. The spectrum of the laser beam measured using a transmission grating showed intense lasing line at 46.9 nm. Diffraction orders as high as 10th orders were observed. The temporal profile recorded with a vacuum diode showed a distinct laser peak with a pulse width ~1.2 ns (FWHM). In addition, the coherence of the X-ray laser beam was also confirmed from the high-contrast interference fringes (visibility ~85 %) recorded using double slits.     

Role of the wall ablation in the operation of a 46.9 nmAr capillary discharge soft x‐ray laser

A capillary discharge pumped soft x‐ray laser operating at 46.9 nm on the 3p–3s transition of the Ne‐like Ar has been realized by pumping the active medium with a relatively slow current pulse (dI/dt ≈ 6 · 10¹¹ A/s). In order to study the role of the ablation in the production of the laser effect, the intensity of the amplified 46.9 nm line has been investigated using the same pumping current pulses in the plastic (polyacetal) and ceramic (Al₂O₃). We showed that the ablation of the capillary walls is unfavorable both for the compression and stability of the plasma and consequently for the soft x‐ray laser production. The amplification and lasing effects are observed only in the ceramic channel. The measurements of the line intensity at 46.9 nm showed the lasing with a gain‐length product of ≈ 9, a laser pulse energy of ≈ 5 μJ, a pulse duration of 1.3 ns and a beam divergence of ≈ 3.5 mrad. In addition, effect of the scaling of the time of lasing with the initial plasma diameter was demonstrated experimentally and compared with a one‐dimensional MHD model.     

反射镜双程放大对类氖锗软X射线激光的输出影响研究

纳秒量级激光驱动的类氖锗软X射线激光具有出光稳定和输出强度大等优点,在诸多领域拥有很好的应用价值. 研究了通过在光路中增加一块多层膜反射镜实现双程放大对出光特性的影响. 通过估算和实验,证实了增加反射镜双程放大确实能够提高类氖锗软X射线激光的输出强度,对于24mm的双程放大长度,总输出强度会增加约2.3倍. 但同时这种模式也带来了光束质量的下降,对应用研究并非完全有益. 关键词： 软X射线激光 反射镜双程放大 增益饱和     

Capillary discharge soft X-ray laslng in Ne-like Ar pumped by long current pulses

A capillary discharge soft X-ray laser operating at 46.9 nm on the transition 3p-3s (J = 0-1) of the Ne-like Ar has been realized by exciting the active medium with a long half-cycle duration current pulse of 140 ns. The current is produced by discharging a 10 nF water dielectric capacitor, initially charged to voltages lower than 200 kV by a six stage Marx generator, through a 15-cm long capillary channels. The laser amplification has been obtained by properly adjusting all the other experimental parameters. Utilizing a 3-mm in diameter Al₂O₃ capillary channel initially filled with 0.3 torr of Ar pressure, a laser beam, which has a 4-mrad divergence and a time duration of 1.3 ns, is characterized by a gain of 0.6±0.1 cm^-1. The stability of the plasma compression followed by the laser emission is verified. Received 13 December 2001     

Parametric amplification of laser-driven electron acceleration in underdense plasma

A new mechanism is reported that increases electron energy gain from a laser beam of ultrarelativistic intensity in underdense plasma. The increase occurs when the laser produces an ion channel that confines accelerated electrons. The frequency of electron oscillations across the channel is strongly modulated by the laser beam, which causes parametric amplification of the oscillations and enhances the electron energy gain. This mechanism has a threshold determined by a product of beam intensity and ion density.     

Influence of strong laser fields on the inverse bremsstrahlung collision frequency

A new model is described for the absorption of laser light by a plasma. Two issues important for high laser intensity are considered: changes in the electron velocity distribution and the absorption non-linearity. The effects of anisotropy and non-Maxwellian distribution function are analysed with a hard sphere model. It is shown that anisotropy alters the electron-ion collision frequency by an amount which depends on the ratio of the temperatures in direction of and perpendicular to the laser field.The effect of high laser intensity is considered assuming Coulomb collisions, and a new expression obtained for the collision frequency as a function of quiver velocity. It will be shown that the result is in agreement with the Spitzer result in the case of small fields and with the result of Catto and Speziale in the case of very strong fields, but shows an unexpected maximum of the collision frequency in an intermediate regime.     

Distribution regimes of intense laser beam in a self-consistent plasma channel

In the present work, we investigate the distributed regimes of an intense laser beam in a self-consistent plasma channel. As the intensity of the laser beam increases, the relativistic mass effect as well as the ponderomotive expulsion of electrons modifies the dielectric function of the medium due to which the medium exhibits nonlinearity. Based on Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin and paraxial ray theory, the steady-state solution of an intense, Gaussian electromagnetic beam is studied. A differential equation of the beamwidth parameter with the distance of propagation is derived, including the effects of relativistic self-focusing (SF) and ponderomotive self-channeling. The nature of propagation and radial dynamics of the beam in plasma depend on the power, width of the beam, and Ω _p, the ratio of plasma to wave frequency. For a given value of Ω _p (<1), the distribution regimes have been obtained in beampower–beamwidth plane, characterizing the regimes of propagation as steady divergence, oscillatory divergence, and SF. The related focusing parameters are optimized introducing plasma density ramp function, and spot size of the laser beam is analyzed for inhomogeneous plasma. This results in overcoming the diffraction and guiding the laser beam over long distance. Numerical computations are performed for typical parameters of relativistic laser–plasma interaction studies.     

High spatial intensity 10 W-CuBr laser with hydrogen additives

High beam quality output has been demonstrated from a single medium-scale (2 cm dia. × 50 cm) CuBr laser with hydrogen additives. The addition of hydrogen leads to beam divergence reduction and laser power lift-up finally yielding 5-fold increase in laser power spatial intensity compared with the case of no hydrogen added. With a simple positive-branch unstable resonator practical (pulse-average) divergence of 80 rad is achieved. The easy-feasible sealed-off version of CuBr laser makes it an attractive source for many high-quality laser beam applications.     

软X射线双频光栅剪切干涉法研究

本文中设计了一种利用软X射线双频光栅作为剪切干涉元件的剪切系统, 使剪切干涉法在软X射线波段得到了应用. 介绍了软X射线双频光栅的结构及衍射特性, 在同步辐射光束线对双频光栅的效率分布进行了测试实验, 两个剪切级次的效率比值高于75%, 干扰级次效率低于5%. 利用软X射线双频光栅为剪切干涉光学元件, 对待测靶进行了静态检测, 得到了对比度高, 稳定的干涉条纹, 验证了该方法在软X射线等离子体密度诊断中的可行性. 关键词： 双频光栅 剪切干涉仪 软X射线 等离子体诊断     

Studies of advanced soft X-ray laser and coherent higher harmonic generation using intense subpicosecond laser produced high density plasma

Current activities on our research of soft X-ray lasers and higher harmonic generations using intense, subpicosecond lasers are reviewed. Especially for soft X-ray lasers we experimentally demonstrate that by longitudinally pumping 2-mm-long molybdenum preformed plasma with high-intensity 475 fs duration laser pulse, a highly directive soft-X-ray laser at 18.9 nm wavelength is generated. The divergence of the beam is evaluated to be of the submilliradian order, and only requires pump laser energy of 150 mJ. Simulations show that the pedestal in the main pump pulse can generate electron density and gain profiles with large spatial gradients, which result in the selective amplification of low-order transverse modes. The present result is the demonstration of an efficient and alternative method of improving the spatial coherence of X-ray lasers with amplified spontaneous emission medium, with possibilities of becoming an excellent tool to explore various application experiments. In higher harmonic generation, topics related to observation of blue shift due to collisionless absorption process is described.     

软X射线激光探针诊断高$lt;i$gt;Z$lt;/i$gt;材料等离子体

激光辐照靶产生的等离子体电子密度的诊断对于惯性约束聚变、高能量密度物理等相关领域的研究具有重要意义,特别是高Z材料等离子体临界面附近的电子密度分布信息的测量. 利用软X射线激光作为探针是诊断等离子体电子密度分布的一种重要方法,但在诊断激光辐照高Z材料产生的等离子体研究中,遇到了高Z材料等离子体自发辐射过大的问题,难以开展. 为此,针对软X射线激光的特点,发展了多种具体的实验技术. 通过综合利用这些技术,大大的抑制了待测等离子体自发辐射对信号的影响,使得软X射线激光探针诊断高Z材料等离子体成为可能. 作为典型例子,实验诊断了激光辐照金平面靶的等离子体,获得了清晰的实验图像,表明相关的技术是有效和可行的. 关键词： 等离子体诊断 激光探针技术 软X射线激光 Z材料等离子体')" href="#">高Z材料等离子体