title: Electromagnetic-field distribution measurements in the soft x-ray range: full characterization of a soft x-ray laser beam.
abstract: We report direct measurement of the electromagnetic-field spatial distribution in a neonlike Ar capillary discharge-driven soft x-ray laser beam. The wave front was fully characterized in a single shot using a Shack-Hartmann diffractive optics sensor. The wave front was observed to be dependent on the discharge pressure and capillary length, as a result of beam refraction variations in the capillary plasma. The results predict approximately 70% of the laser beam energy can be focused into an area 4 times the size of the diffraction-limited spot, reaching intensities of approximately 4 x 10(13) W/cm(2).
authors: Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Atomique et Ionique, Bâtiment 350, Université Paris-sud, 91405 Orsay, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Le Pape
authors: Ph
authors: P
authors: Zeitoun
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Idir
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dhez
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Rocca
authors: M
authors: M
authors: François