CALCULATION OF ATOMIC EXCITATION PROCESSES OF X-RAY LASER PLASMAS IRRADIATED BY SHORT-PULSE INTENSE KRF LASER-PULSES

An atomic model of the laser-produced Al plasma has been developed and used to analyze excitation processes of recombination pumping soft X-ray lasers. A soft X-ray gain for H-like Balmer-alpha line and He-like 3d-2p transition in short-pulse intense KrF laser (I(L) = 10(14)-10(15) W/cm2, tau = 10-100 ps)-produced Al plasmas are calculated for various laser temporal pulse shapes to find the condition for efficient production of population inversion. Results from different models are compared and requirements for the atomic model for X-ray laser design are discussed.