X-Ray Laser Research at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Recent experiments carried out at the Central Laser Facility clearly show amplification of spontaneous emission at 182Å with a g1-4 in a recombining carbon plasma. Thin 7µm diam. carbon fibres were irradiated with the VULCAN Nd.glass laser system. This scheme was extended to shorter wavelengths by using LiF-coated carbon fibre targets. Initial analysis of the experimental data indicates gain of the Balmer a transition of fluorine at 81Å.