The following is a continuation of the discussion entitled: "WOW that is intense! New laser record:" --- Continued here for prominence:

Hi, R.L.

Thanks for your response!

>In my last job we were working VERY hard to make a few Watts of 13 nm light-
>and even then it wasn't a coherent beam... What is so magical about 3nm?

Believe it or not I was *thinking* Circa 13nm (Having checked my notes I may now say specifically 14.7nm with reference to NLPT experimentation [q.v.]) but, as I now see, entered 3nm (Sigh! This just hasn’t been my week!)

But *generally* the ‘magic’ of short wavelengths lies in increased penetration/plasma density ratios...

R.L., *PLEASE* don't interpret anything said here as condescension! You are clearly possessed of greater theoretical and practical knowledge, of the subject at hand, than I...

The intent of my post was to salute one 'mile post' (attainment of extreme power-density) while looking ahead to another (inducement of ‘gainful’ ICF) - without intent to *necessarily* 'wed' the two...

I'm curious as to your experiments at 13 nanometers? When you say that the beam “wasn’t coherent”, are you referring to discontinuities of phase? Spectral impurity? 'Non-collimatability'? Or, inasmuch as these qualities are interdependent, all of the above??? --- If I understand you correctly, the energy produced was akin to the emissions one might expect of an old Coolidge tube operated at low anode EMF (i.e. merely a soft 'x-ray' source)? ;-)

I am *genuinely* curious!!! :-)

>If you are interested in laser induced fusion, The 'tabletop' laser I mentioned
>can be found in papers by Ditmire

I am quite interested, thank you! :-)

While I have followed the evolution of short wavelength LASERs from ‘Novette’ through ‘Nova’ and am fascinated by the work (and vision) of the NIF project - I, embarrassingly, have few solid references/resources - Perhaps you could recommend websites and/or direct me to publications?

Many thanks :-)

Very best regards
Dan Sarandon