H.L. Mancini

Nanoimaging with a compact extreme-ultraviolet laser

Images with a spatial resolution of 120-150 nm were obtained with 46.9 nm light from a compact capillary-discharge laser by use of the combination of a Sc-Si multilayer-coated Schwarzschild condenser and a free-standing imaging zone plate. The results are relevant to the development of compact extreme-ultraviolet laser-based imaging tools for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Generation of Pulsed Electron Beams by Simple Cold Cathode Plasma Guns

Electron-beam pulses of current up to 20 A have been generated using glow discharge electron guns of simple construction. Beam pulses of 1-20 ts long at energies between 2 and 15 keV have been created at helium pressures between 1 and 5 torr. Results obtained using 3-cm diameter aluminum cathodes of two different geometries are discussed. As an example of the use of these electron guns for laser excitation, we have excited an He-Zn metal vapor mixture. Three new infrared laser transitions in ZnII are reported.

Cd recombination laser in a plasma generated by an electron beam

Laser action was obtained in the 1.40, 1.43, and 1.65 μm lines of CdI following electron-ion recombination in a plasma generated by an electron beam. Lasing does not occur during the excitation pulse due to the electron impact population of the laser lower levels. In this plasma, supercooling of the electrons is achieved under stationary conditions, and efficient CW recombination laser action might also be possible on lines in which the lower level is not significantly populated by electron collisions. Seven new infrared laser lines in CdII are also reported.

CW ultraviolet and visible laser action from ionized silver in an electron beam generated plasma

Continuous wave laser oscillation was obtained in the 318.1-nm and the 478.8-nm lines of Ag(II) in a neon-silver vapor mixture excited by glow discharge electron beams. Laser output powers of 14 and 60 mW were obtained in the ultraviolet and blue transitions, respectively, using nonoptimized optical cavities. The use of neon as a buffer gas significantly increases the number of possible laser lines that might be obtained with this type of excitation by means of selective energy transfer processes involving quasi-resonant collisions.<<ETX>>

Nano-scale imaging with a compact EUV laser

We report sub-140 nm resolution imaging with 46.9 nm radiation from a compact capillary-discharge laser. This result was obtained using a combination of a Sc/Si multilayer-coated Schwarzschild condenser and free-standing imaging zone plate.

Nanometer-scale imaging with compact soft x-ray lasers

We have demonstrated imaging at soft x-ray wavelengths in transmission and reflection modes using high repetition rate table-top soft x-ray lasers. Transmission mode imaging with a resolution better than 50 nm was demonstrated using the output from a 13.9 nm Ni-like Ag laser in combination with condenser and objective Fresnel zone plate optics. Reflection mode imaging of a microelectronic chip with a resolution of 120-150 nm was demonstrated using the illumination provided by the 46.9 nm output from a compact capillary-discharge Ne-like Ar laser. This microscope combines a Schwarzschild condenser and a zone plate objective. The results demonstrate the feasibility of practical nanometer-scale microscopy with compact soft-x-ray laser sources.

Spatially coherent tabletop soft X-ray laser sources with milliwatt average power

We summarize the development status of milliwatt average power tabletop soft X-ray lasers based on fast capillary discharges with essentially full spatial coherence, and give examples of their use in dense plasma interferometry, soft X-ray reflectometry, laser ablation, and plasma generation.

Advances in compact discharge-pumped soft X-ray lasers and applications

Summary form only given. For many years researchers have envisioned the development of compact high repetition rate soft lasers with high spatial coherence that be routinely used in numerous applications. With demonstrated average powers of several mW and millijoule-level pulse energy at 46.9 nm the Ne-like Ar capillary discharge-pumped laser is the first compact laser to reach this goal. We summarize the development status of tabletop soft X-ray lasers based on capillary discharge excitation, and give examples of their successful use in dense plasma interferometry, soft X-ray reflectometry for the determination of optical constants, characterization of diffraction gratings, laser ablation of materials, and plasma generation. Lasing at 52.9 nm line in Ne-like Cl, and the prospects for lasing at shorter wavelengths are also discussed.