X-Ray laser: past, present, and future

In this review we concentrate our attention on X-ray laser research and development covering the so called soft X-ray region (down to ∼ 10 nm) and the ``water window'' region (down to 2.3 – 4.4 nm). We present the development of soft X-ray lasers (SXLs) and their applications using primarily collisional and recombination schemes. We present the paths towards compact systems and major achievements to date. We discuss conditions for using both schemes to reach the ``water window'' region. In this discussion we also present another possible schemes based on photo-pumping, inner shell transitions in atoms and ions and ``Doppler Compression'' of IR laser radiation down to the X-ray region with its intrinsic tunability possibility. A significant part of the review is dedicated to the wide range of applications of SXLs with wavelengths at and above 10 nm. Also discussed is the potential of extending the range of biological applications for the ``water window'' region.

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