High-power-density capillary discharge plasma columns for shorter wavelength discharge-pumped soft-x-ray lasers

Osterheld, A. L., author; Shlyaptsev, V. N., author; Rocca, Jorge J., author; Frati, M., author; Gonzalez, J. J., author; Americna Physical Society, publisher

High-power-density capillary discharge plasma columns for shorter wavelength discharge-pumped soft-x-ray lasers

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ECEjjr00014.pdf (461.48 KB)

Date

2002

Authors

Osterheld, A. L., author

Shlyaptsev, V. N., author

Rocca, Jorge J., author

Frati, M., author

Gonzalez, J. J., author

Americna Physical Society, publisher

Abstract

We report the generation of plasma columns in gas-filled capillary channels using discharge excitation powers that exceed those of previous studies by one to two orders of magnitude. Current pulses up to 200 kA and 10-90% rise time of ~10 ns (current increase rate ~1.5×1013 A/s) were utilized to excite plasmas in 3.3 and 4 mm diameter channels. Time resolved soft-x-ray spectra and pinhole images of the plasma were obtained. The experimental data and its comparison with model computations suggest that dense argon plasma columns 300 μm in diameter with electron temperatures >250 eV have been obtained. These characteristics make these plasmas of interest for extending discharge-pumped lasers to shorter wavelengths.