Compact,wide aperture X-ray preionized XeCl laser with high specific optical power

An X-ray preionized, discharge-pumped XeCl laser with a variable beam cross-section of up to 6×6 cm² is described. It uses flat electrodes and the beam width is determined by X-ray collimation. Its operation characteristics concerning reduced electric field strength (E/p) and X-ray dose are discussed in detail. The inductance of the discharge loop is minimized using a water capacitor arrangement. A very high specific optical power (90 MW/l) is achieved in an active volume of 1.2 l. The pulse energy exceeds 5 J in a 45 ns pulse (FWHM). Komatsu Ltd., Manda 1200, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa 254, Japan Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Department of Plasma Physics, Academia Sinica, Shanghai, P.R. China