Soft X-ray radiation from nitrogen filled capillary z-pinch plasma

Characteristics of soft X-ray radiation from nitrogen Z-pinch plasma column energized by a capillary discharge is reported as a fundamental study for H-like N recombination pumped soft X-ray laser, wavelength of which is 13.4 nm emitted by quantum transition from n = 3 to n = 2. A current pulse of about 15 kA with half-cycle duration of about 110 ns was utilized to excite nitrogen plasma in a 3.0 mm diameter channel. From spectroscopic measurement using a transmission grating spectrometer, ionic charge state of nitrogen in the plasma was analyzed to estimate plasma parameters and the discharge current required for realizing a H-like N recombination soft X-ray laser