Soft X-ray characterization of an elongated gas-puff target dedicated for laser–matter interaction experiments and high harmonic generation

A slit-shaped elongated nozzle, capable of forming an extended gas density profile, is presented and studied in detail. Argon and xenon target density backlighting measurements revealed the elongated density profiles with gas density that can be tuned by changing valve backing pressure and valve timing. Two dimensional density maps for Ar and Xe targets, obtained at soft X-ray wavelengths around 7 Å, are shown and spatially characterized. Moreover the influence of valve backing pressure and valve timing on gas puff target density is studied. This geometry of the nozzle has potential applications in high harmonic generation for an efficient conversion of femto-second duration, intense infrared pulses to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) region.