title: Compression of powerful x-ray pulses to attosecond durations by stimulated Raman backscattering in plasmas.
abstract: Backward Raman amplification (BRA) in plasmas holds the potential for longitudinal compression and focusing of powerful x-ray pulses. In principle, this method is capable of producing pulse intensities close to the vacuum breakdown threshold by manipulating the output of planned x-ray sources. The minimum wavelength limit of BRA applicability to compression of laser pulses in plasmas is found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Malkin
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wurtele