Population inversion of transitions in neon-like ions

It is shown that a population inversion occurs for three types of transition in neon-like ions with Z~7–15 in a steady-state plasma. A steady-state gain of ~100 cm^–1 may be expected for the 2p⁵3p¹S₀→2p⁵3S¹P₁ transition in the wavelength range λ~40–80 nm. Radiation trapping by the 2p⁶→2p⁵3S and 2p⁶→2p⁵3d transitions alters drastically the gain.