ABSTRACT
Recent studies of lasing in Ne-and Ni-like ions on the Asterix IV iodine laser are reviewed. Experimental evidence shows the importance of the beam refraction in governing the J = 0 - 1 versus J = 2 - 1 anomaly in Ne-like ion lasers as well as the lack of observing of lasing in low-Z elements. Using the prepulse technique, lasing on the J = 0 - 1, 3p - 3s transition in Ne-like Mn, V, Sc, Ca, K, Cl, S, and Si was demonstrated. The drive energy for S was scaled down to 20 J. Combining a prepulse with the use of a curved target, a 12 nm laser in Ni-like Sn was demonstrated.
