Gain observations at 204.2 Å in Ni-like Nb

Intensity versus length experiments showed some exponentiation in Ni-like Nb at 204 angstroms, at pump energies of 1 to 2 Joules per pulse of 1 (mu) pump radiation. The largest total gain observed in these experiments is about (alpha) L approximately equals 3 as determined by a Linford fit. Streak camera results indicate that emission at 204 angstroms can persist for u to a nanosecond. More recent experiments indicate that the pump pulse width was variable during this campaign, and that the pump energy calibration was imprecise. Ni-like Nb appears to require on the order of 1013 watts/cm2 to drive gain, and we plan to increase our ump intensity to improve total gain.