We report the generation of laser pulse energies up to $30\mu \mathrm{J}$ at 46.9 nm in the plasma column of a fast compressional capillary discharge. Double pass experiments using an iridium mirror achieved a gain-length product greater than 25. The results provide the first clear evidence of saturated operation of a table-top soft x-ray amplifier.

• Received 14 May 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.1476