Patent ID: 7251263
Filing Date: 2007-07-31
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A pulsed x-ray laser comprising in combination: (a) a capillary tube having a chosen length and a bore having a chosen diameter, said capillary tube having a first end and a second end; (b) a first electrode disposed in the vicinity of the first end of said capillary tube; (c) a second electrode in electrical connection with ground potential disposed in the vicinity of the second end of said capillary tube and having an opening adapted so as not to occlude the bore of said capillary tube; (d) means for introducing a chosen gas into the bore of said capillary tube; (e) means for preionizing the gas; (f) at least one capacitor having a chosen capacitance, a third electrode and a fourth electrode, said third electrode being in electrical contact with ground potential; (g) means for charging said at least one capacitor to a chosen voltage through said fourth electrode, such that an electrical discharge occurs in the gas between said first electrode disposed in the vicinity of the first end of said capillary tube and said second electrode when the gas is preionized, the discharge having a current effective for generating a population inversion in the preionized gas suitable for producing lasing therein; and (h) means for enclosing said capillary tube, said enclosing means comprising an electrically conductive material in electrical contact with said second electrode, and being adapted such that the return path of the discharge current to ground potential is minimized.