Feasibility considerations of a soft-x-ray distributed feedback laser pumped by an x-ray free electron laser

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the feasibility of a soft-x-ray distributed feedback laser pumped by an x-ray free electron laser, demonstrating potential for threshold gain with current X-FEL technology.

Contribution

It presents a theoretical feasibility analysis of a Mg/SiC bi-layered Bragg reflector DFL pumped by an X-FEL, extending existing coupled-wave models.

Findings

Threshold gain compatible with available X-FELs

Feasibility of soft-x-ray DFL demonstrated theoretically

Model supports potential experimental realization

Abstract

We discuss the feasibility of a soft-x-ray distributed feedback laser (DFL) pumped by an x-ray free electron laser (X-FEL). The DFL under consideration is a Mg/SiC bi-layered Bragg reflector pumped by a single X-FEL bunch at 57.4 eV, stimulating the Mg L2,3 emission at 49 eV corresponding to the 3s-3d -> 2p1/2,3/2 transition. Based on a model developed by Yariv and Yeh and an extended coupled-wave theory, we show that it would be possible to obtain a threshold gain compatible with the pumping provided by available X-FEL facilities.