Operation of capillary z-discharge pumped soft x-ray laser at shorter wavelength region

We have studied the dynamics of fast capillary Z-discharge to obtain prospects for laser operation in shorter wavelength range. The recent results of our studies indicate that, by preionized fast discharge, the column can implode stably in a wide initial pressure range of 200 - 1000 Pa of argon. These results also suggest that the final plasma parameters and their spatial distributions can be controlled in the stable implosion range. If we can avoid destructive magneto- hydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities over a wide range of implosion parameters, we can make Z-scaling to shorter wavelengths. In order to obtain accurate prospects for the operation in shorter wavelengths, the Z-scaling should be carried out based on a proper modeling including the Z- discharge dynamics and radiation transport.