Phase-matched generation of coherent soft x-rays

Abstract

Phase-matched harmonic conversion of visible laser light into soft x- rays was demonstrated. The recently developed technique of guided-wave frequency conversion was used to upshift light from 800 nanometers to the range from 17 to 32 nanometers. This process increased the coherent x-ray output by factors of 102 to 103 compared to the non-phase-matched case. This source uses a small-scale (sub-milli joule) high repetition-rate laser and will enable a wide variety of new experimental investigations in linear and nonlinear x-ray science.