Development of a compact x-ray laser in the 'water window' at 4.0 nm

Abstract

A narrow spectral range between 2.3 nm and 4.4 nm wavelengths, the so-called 'water window' (WW), provides a unique opportunity for time-resolved imaging of proteins in their natural environment, as water is semi-transparent, while carbon is mostly opaque at these wavelengths. In this work we are presenting experimental developments toward high laser gain in CV ions at 4.03 nm, in a table-top device, and discuss possible application of such an x-ray laser to high-resolution microscopy, as well as generation of attosecond pulses.