Demonstration of saturation in a Ni-like Ag x-ray laser at 14 nm

We report the first demonstration of saturation in a Ni-like x-ray laser, specifically Ni-like Ag x-ray laser at 14 nm. Using high-resolution spatial imaging and angularly resolved streaking techniques, the output source size as well as the time history, divergence, energy, and spatial profile of the output beam have been fully characterized. The output intensity of the Ag laser was measured to be about 70 GWcm(-2) The narrow divergence, short pulse duration, high efficiency, and high brightness of the Ag laser make it an ideal candidate for many x-ray laser applications.