title: Long-Duration Soft X-Ray Pulses by XeCl Laser Driven Plasmas and Applications.
abstract: We report the characterization of a soft x-ray plasma source generated by a long-pulse XeCl excimer laser system. The output energy is 4 J at a wavelength of 308 nm in a 100-ns pulse. The intensity of radiation on target is estimated to be 4 × 1012 W cm-2. X-ray emission spectra of the plasma have been recorded using a double focusing spatial resolution spectrometer with a spherical mica crystal. From these measurements, the plasma temperature and electron density have been estimated. Various applications of such a plasma source have been investigated. First images of whole intact living cells from our system, imaged using the technique of soft x-ray contact microscopy, utilizing x rays in the "water window" region (280-530 eV), are shown. The suitability of the source for other applications, for example, x-ray lithography and radiation damage studies, to living cells are discussed. Possible improvements to the x-ray source for the various applications are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento lnnovazione, Settore 1NN-F1S, CRE ENEA Frascati, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bollanti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Lazzaro
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authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Flora
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authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giordano
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authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Letardi
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authors.lastname: Schina
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authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Zheng
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authors.lastname: Filippi
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authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palladino
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authors.lastname: Reale
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authors.lastname: Taglieri
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authors.lastname: Batani
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authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: A
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authors.lastname: Scafati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reale
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authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Albertano
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authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grilli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faenov
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pikuz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cotton