XUV-Amplification in an argon z-pinch plasma

Amplification of XUV radiation of the 3p–3s transitions at 46.9 and 67.1 nm with a gain-length product of 2.4 and 2.6 has been observed in an argon z-pinch plasma. The amplification was demonstrated by varying the discharge length between 40 and 120 mm. A temporal resolved measurement of the gain coefficient is presented here that shows a gain of >0.15 cm−1 for a duration of more than 40 ns with a peak value of 0.2 cm−1 for the 46.9 nm line. The plasma was generated in a fast z-pinch discharge driven by a 200 kV three-stage Marx-generator. The discharge current in the alumina insulator tube with a diameter of 7 mm was 40 kA.