Neon-like ions are routinely pumped by electron collisional excitation from the ground 2p$+6$/ state to levels in the n equals 3 manifold, generating a number of different transitions. The experiments are performed in two geometries: foils and slabs. In this paper we examine slab systems using germanium as the prototype medium. The aim is to identify ways in which design modifications can be used to improve the output performance of the x- ray lasers. We examine the role of pump laser pulse modification and target curvature (bending) to reduce refraction effects in the radial direction, and the potential of density wells to produce a guiding effect in the transverse direction.
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