Patent ID: 6693989
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G21K,H05G

Abstract:
A method for generating laser radiation in the x-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum which comprises the steps of:(a) generating pulsed laser radiation having a chosen intensity and wavelength; (b) generating gaseous atomic clusters having a chosen density and size; (c) directing the laser radiation into the gas clusters whereby multiphoton coupling with the clusters occurs producing rapid atomic excitation, thereby removing selected inner-shell atomic electrons without removing all of the electrons in the next outermost shell with the consequent generation of a population inversion, and whereby a region of nonlinear, mode-confined propagation for x-radiation is established; and (d) controlling the density of gaseous atomic clusters in the region of nonlinear, mode-confined propagation such that the x-radiation propagation therein is not extinguished.