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Capillary discharge-driven metal vapor plasma waveguides.
Y Wang1, B M Luther, M Berrill
1NSF ERC for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Summary
Dense plasma waveguides with silver ions were created using microcapillary discharge. These waveguides are crucial for developing efficient soft x-ray lasers, particularly for Ni-like silver applications.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Laser Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Metal vapor lasers are essential for various applications.
- Efficient generation of soft x-ray lasers requires precise control over plasma conditions.
- Silver ions are promising for specific laser wavelengths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate dense plasma waveguides containing silver ions.
- To investigate the properties and dynamics of these waveguides.
- To explore their application in developing novel soft x-ray lasers.
Main Methods:
- Microcapillary discharge using Ag2S capillaries (330-440 microm diameter).
- Fast current pulses (3-5 kA peak amplitude, ~55 ns half-cycle).
- Interferometry, absorption measurements, and hydrodynamic model simulations for plasma dynamics analysis.
Main Results:
- Generation of dense plasma waveguides with axial electron density > 1 x 10(19) cm(-3).
- Formation of concave plasma density profiles.
- Demonstration of the dynamic behavior of the plasma waveguide.
Conclusions:
- The generated plasma waveguides are suitable for efficient longitudinally pumped metal vapor soft x-ray lasers.
- The study provides an approach for designing a gain-saturated 13.9 nm laser in Ni-like silver.
- Results are relevant for transient excitation of Ni-like ions in laser development.