title: Gain saturation regime for laser-driven tabletop, transient Ni-like ion X-Ray lasers
abstract: We have demonstrated small signal gain saturation on several transient-gain Ni-like ion x-ray lasers by using a high-power, chirped-pulse amplification, tabletop laser. These results have been achieved at wavelengths from 139-203 A using a total of 5-7 J energy in a traveling-wave excitation scheme. Strong amplification is also observed for Ni-like Sn at 119 A. Gain of 62 cm(-1) and gL product of 18 are determined on the 4d-->4p transition for Ni-like Pd at 147 A with an output energy of 12 &mgr;J. A systematic evaluation of the laser driver parameters yields optimum beam divergence and small deflection angles of 2-5 mrads, in good agreement with simulations.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Osterheld
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Shlyaptsev