Shattering the myth of the resonantly photo-pumped neon-like titanium laser

We will present results which show lasing on the 3p yields 3s (J equals 0 yields 1) transition in neon-like chromium (Z equals 24), iron (Z equals 24), iron (Z equals 26), and nickel (Z equals 28) at 285, 255, and 231 angstroms respectively. This destroys the myth of titanium being unique and makes highly unlikely that the previously mentioned photo-pumping mechanism is playing a significant role in the titanium laser. The chromium, iron, and nickel experiments all require a prepulse in order to lase and our calculations suggest that the prepulse is an exciting new way to create a uniform low density plasma when illuminating a thick slab target. This allows the proper conditions for gain and laser propagation for low Z neon-like ions and may also be applicable to other systems such as low Z nickel-like ions. We also will present experiments done on other low-Z materials and offer an explanation as to how the hyperfine effect is destroying the gain of neon-like ions with odd Z.