Intense and stable laser operation with Ni-like Zr and Ag was
demonstrated at pump energies between 2 J and 5 J energy from the PHELIX
pre-amplifier section. A novel single mirror focusing scheme for the TCE
x-ray laser (XRL) has been successfully implemented by the
LIXAM/MBI/GSI collaboration under different pump geometries. This
shows potential for an extension to shorter XRL wavelength. Generation of
high quality XRL beams for XRL spectroscopy of highly charged ions is an
important issue within the scientific program of PHELIX. Long range
perspective is the study of nuclear properties of radioactive isotopes
within the FAIR project.