Charge exchange of laser-produced ions in a pulsed gas jet

Results of an experiment on the interaction of laser-produced plasma with a pulsed gas jet are reported. A resonant charge-exchange pumping of the n=3 level of the C³⁺ ion was observed. A spatial structure of the region of intensive interaction was obtained by a short time imaging of filtered plasma radiation. According to independent probe measurements, the interaction was realized at densities of ions and gas particles in excess of 10¹⁶ cm^-3. The obtained data provide a prospect for future experiments on laser gain in the EUV spectral range based on charge-exchange pumping of the C⁵⁺ ion. PACS 52.50.Jm; 52.25.Nr