Conceptual diagram of the high average power soft x-ray laser

Conceptual diagram of the high average power soft x-ray laser. Laser diodes efficiently pump a solid-state laser that generates high-energy optical laser pulses at 100 Hz repetition rate.  The pulses are focused into narrow line on a solid target, where they rapidly heat the material to create a hot, dense plasma conditioned for soft x-ray amplification.  Amplification of spontaneously emitted radiation in the narrow plasma column creates intense soft x-ray laser pulses of picosecond duration. The compact high-repetition-rate, high-energy pump laser fits on a single optical table.