Coherent VUV- and X-ray generation with optical lasers

The laser concept, i.e. the active control over coherence properties of light, has partially transformed optical sciences into one of the most important key technologies of the next century. Consequently, various attempts have long been made to extend this concept towards VUV- and X-ray wavelengths, but have met considerable practical difficulties. Low-energy efficiency in inversion creation is one of the typical obstacles, extremely high-power requirements (e.g. for optical driver lasers) another. Only very recently several new, independent concepts have been successfully realized, and promise real breakthroughs in short-wavelength generation and application. Compact “table-top” X-ray lasers have been operated in a saturated gain conditions, either through electric discharge pumping in a capillary or through short-pulse optical laser pumping in a transient inversion scheme. In addition, direct conversion of optical laser light into the VUV- and soft X-ray region has been accomplished. These new sources are relatively compact, though not yet powerful, and will thus complement future highly brilliant free electron lasers in the short-wavelength regime. The paper illuminates the status, future directions and physical limits of some of these new concepts.