The first in its field, this book is both an introduction to x-ray lasers and a how-to guide for specialists. It provides new entrants and others interested in the field with a comprehensive overview and describes useful examples of analysis and experiments as background and guidance for researchers undertaking new laser designs. In one succinct volume, X-Ray Lasers collects the knowledge and experience gained in two decades of x-ray laser development and conveys the exciting challenges and possibilities still to come. The reader is first introduced to the technical challenges unique to the design and operation of lasers in the "vacuum" region of the spectrum, where the atmosphere is highly absorbent and optics are--at best--unconventional. A discussion of the basic principles for and limitations in achieving significant x-ray amplification, as well as descriptions of gain measurement techniques and instrumentation follows. Various approaches for pumping media to x-ray gain conditions are also analyzed, and descriptions of experimental progress are included wherever possible. The book concludes with a description and comparison with alternate sources and applications for an x-ray laser. This work is both an introduction to x-ray lasers and a how-to guide for specialists. It provides new entrants and others interested in the field with a comprehensive overview and describes useful analyses and experiments as guidance for researchers undertaking new laser designs. - Provides first comprehensive treatment of lasers for wavelengths shorter than the near-ultraviolet 2000 - Contains descriptions and comparisons with alternate sources - Includes a section describing possible applications

A fundamental problem in cell biology is the cause of aging. The solution to this problem has not yet been obtained because,(l) until recently, it was not possible to image living cells directly. The use of low-energy (soft) X rays has made such imaging possible, perhaps thereby allowing the aging process to be understood and possibly overcome (a result that may well generate further social, moral, and ethical problems). Fortun ately this is not the only aspect of cell biology amenable to soft X-ray imaging, and it is envisaged that many less controversial studies--such as investigations of the detailed differences between healthy and diseased or malignant cells (in their natural states) and processes of cell division and growth-will be made possible. The use of soft X rays is not limited to biological studies-many applications are possible in, for example, fusion research, materials science, and astronomy. Such studies have only recently begun in earnest because several difficulties had to be overcome, major among these being the lack (for some purposes) of sufficiently intense sources, and the technological difficulties associated with making efficient optical systems. As is well known, the advent of dedicated synchrotron radiation sources, in particular, has alleviated the first of these difficulties, not just for the soft X-ray region. It is the purpose of this book to consider progress in the second.

A fundamental problem in cell biology is the cause of aging. The solution to this problem has not yet been obtained because,(l) until recently, it was not possible to image living cells directly. The use of low-energy (soft) X rays has made such imaging possible, perhaps thereby allowing the aging process to be understood and possibly overcome (a result that may well generate further social, moral, and ethical problems). Fortun ately this is not the only aspect of cell biology amenable to soft X-ray imaging, and it is envisaged that many less controversial studies--such as investigations of the detailed differences between healthy and diseased or malignant cells (in their natural states) and processes of cell division and growth-will be made possible. The use of soft X rays is not limited to biological studies-many applications are possible in, for example, fusion research, materials science, and astronomy. Such studies have only recently begun in earnest because several difficulties had to be overcome, major among these being the lack (for some purposes) of sufficiently intense sources, and the technological difficulties associated with making efficient optical systems. As is well known, the advent of dedicated synchrotron radiation sources, in particular, has alleviated the first of these difficulties, not just for the soft X-ray region. It is the purpose of this book to consider progress in the second.

The X-ray standing wave (XSW) technique is an X-ray interferometric method combining diffraction with a multitude of spectroscopic techniques. It is extremely powerful for obtaining information about virtually all properties of surfaces and interfaces on the atomic scale. However, as with any other technique, it has strengths and limitations. The proper use and necessary understanding of this method requires knowledge in quite different fields of physics and technology. This volume presents comprehensively the theoretical background, technical requirements and distinguished experimental highlights of the technique. Containing contributions from the most prominent experts of the technique, such as Andre Authier, Boris Batterman, Michael J Bedzyk, Jene Golovchenko, Victor Kohn, Michail Kovalchuk, Gerhard Materlik and D Phil Woodruff, the book equips scientists with all the necessary information and knowledge to understand and use the XSW technique in practically all applications.

Treatise on Materials Science and Technology, Volume 27: Analytical Techniques for Thin Films covers a set of analytical techniques developed for thin films and interfaces, all based on scattering and excitation phenomena and theories. The book discusses photon beam and X-ray techniques; electron beam techniques; and ion beam techniques. Materials scientists, materials engineers, chemical engineers, and physicists will find the book invaluable.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.