Demonstration of ultrahigh brightness X-ray amplification from xenon hollow atom states at 2.71 - 2.93 angstroms

Experimental data of several forms have been obtained which constitute interlocking concordant evidence of amplification in self-trapped plasma channels on several transitions of the Xe(L) hollow atom spectrum at wavelengths in the range λ ∼ 2.71-2.93 Å. Specifically, they are (α) strongly enhanced spectra arising from Xe³¹⁺, Xe³²⁺, Xe³⁴⁺, Xe³⁵⁺, Xe³⁶⁺, and Xe³⁷⁺ ions recorded from the channel in the forward (axial) direction, (β) the measurement of a corresponding spectral narrowing on the directionally enhanced lines emitted from the channel, (γ) evidence for saturation of three of these transition arrays (Xe³⁴⁺, Xe³⁵⁺, Xe³⁶⁺) given by the simultaneous quenching (spectral hole-burning) of the corresponding spontaneous emission from them in transversely recorded spectra only when amplifying channels are present.