Short wavelength laser calculations for electron pumping in Be I and B I isoelectronic sequences (Z greater than or equal to 18 and less than or equal to 36)

There has been considerable interest in creating large laser gains in the X-ray region from atomic transitions in ne-like ions formed in high-temperature plasmas. Although the Ne-like ions habe received the most attention, it is also possible to produce population inversions in ions of other isoelectronic sequences. Accordingly, it is shown that certain levels of the 2s3p and 2s(2)3p configurations in the Be I and B I isoelectronic sequences can be inverted by collisional pumping relative to levels of the 2s3s and 2s(2)3s configurations. Level populations and gain coefficients were calculated for the most promising transitions, and opacities were calculated for 2s2p-2s3s and 2s(2)2p-2s(2)3s transitions.