Observation of high gain in Ne-like Ag lasers

Abstract

We report the observation of high-gain lasing in laser-heated exploding-foil Ag targets at pump irradiances ≥6×${10}^{14}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$. The measured gain coefficients on the dominant Ne-like J=2→1 transitions are determined to be 9.4±1.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$ for (2${\mathit{p}}_{3/2}$)3${\mathit{p}}_{3/2}$→(2${\mathit{p}}_{3/2}$)3s at 9.9365 nm and 6.$4_{\mathrm{-}1.5}^{+2.0\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$ for (2${\mathit{p}}_{1/2}$)3${\mathit{p}}_{3/2}$→(2${\mathit{p}}_{1/2}$)3s at 10.0377 nm. These are the highest gain coefficients yet observed to our knowledge for any short-wavelength laser. Gain is observed on three other Ne-like lines including a J=0→1 transition at 8.1563 nm, the shortest wavelength yet observed to our knowledge for a Ne-like x-ray laser.