New innershell photoionization lasers in the rubidium ion

By in innershell photoionization of rubidium vapor with soft X-rays from laser-produced plasmas the metastable 4p 5 5s levels in the rubidium ion are populated. Starting from these levels, five Raman-type lasers on the 4p 5 5p-4p 5 4d transitions in the visible and near infrared spectral range have been realized by applying a tunable dye laser. Gain coefficients of more than 5 cm -1 have been observed.