Cluster Dynamics Induced by Intense Laser Pulses/X-ray Parametric Amplification in Plasma Fibers

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This is a two-part project that explores intense laser-plasma interactions and their applications. In the first part experiments will be done to investigate the use of the laser-produced plasma waveguide for nonlinear generation of coherent, short wavelength light. A great improvement over previous experiments will be the use of an elongated pulsed gas jet that will allow both injection of higher intensity pulses into the waveguide and reduced absorption of x-rays propagating out of the waveguide. The second part of the project will investigate in detail the dynamics of the interaction of intense laser pulses with clusters formed through van der Waals bonding of atoms and molecules in a supersonic gas jet expansion. These clusters are a leading candidate for the extreme ultraviolet light source needed for next generation lithography. Experiments will be performed to explore the laser-cluster interaction dynamics with femtosecond time-resolved interferometry, fast particle spectroscopy, and EUV and x-ray spectroscopy.