MULTIPHOTON-INDUCED X-RAY-EMISSION AND AMPLIFICATION FROM CLUSTERS

The development of a unified picture of short-pulse high-intensity multiphoton processes, embracing atoms, molecules, and solids, appears possible through the study of clusters. Of particular significance are possible intra-cluster processes that can influence the mechanism of ionization and lead to the production of inner-shell vacancies. Inner-shell excitation leading to prompt X-ray emission is specifically considered and the treatment leads to the definition of a critical cluster size n(c) representing the achievement of maximal X-ray emission from the ensemble. These results suggest the possibility of designing a new class of molecular materials optimized for the efficient production and amplification of X-rays.