Optimum discharge current waveforms for pumping Ne-like Ar soft X-ray laser

In order to enhance intensity of Ne-like Ar 46.9 nm soft X-ray laser pumped by capillary discharge, influences of main current waveform on Z-pinch process, time of lasing onset and laser intensity were studied. Rise-time of main current waveform was changed by varying conducting inductance of main switch. Experimental results with different rise-times show that amplitude of laser spike decreases with increasing rise-time, and time of lasing onset increases with increasing rise-time. In addition, influences of average current changing rate on laser intensity were studied. When inner diameter of capillary is 3 mm and initial pressure is 30 Pa, optimum average current changing rate is about 7.0×1011 A/s.