Recent Progress in X-Ray Laser Development and Applications at LIXAM

We present an overview of the recent progress achieved in the development of X-ray lasers and demonstration of applications by the LIXAM team, in collaboration with other groups. Lasing at 10 Hz was demonstrated at 18.9 nm in Ni-like Mo with a 30 µW average power, using transient pumping in the grazing incidence geometry. New numerical simulations have been developed to study spatial and temporal features of current and future X-ray lasers. The technique of interference microscopy with an X-ray laser beam was applied to the investigation of laser-induced damages in optical materials exposed to sub-ns laser pulses. Finally the construction of a 0.5 PW, 0.1 Hz Ti-Sa laser, the driver of the LASERIX facility, was successfully completed.