Application prospects for soft X-ray lasers

Collision-pumped soft X-ray laser devices operating in quasi-steady-state mode in the 5-25 nm wavelength region now routinely produce saturated outputs, corresponding to about 10 exp 13 10 exp 14 photons in pulses of -50 psec duration. These partially coherent beams are extremely bright, single-shot sources of radiation with a range of demonstrated and potential applications. Here, we review some recent developments in production and characterization of Ne-like and Ni-like soft X-ray lasers pumped by the Vulcan laser at the Central Laser Facility, U.K. Stemming from this, we examine some application options, including radiography, interferometry, Thomson scattering and non-linear optics.