Resonance line CV and CVI plasma spectra in the 40 Å region indicate a reduced (Nn /wn) population density inversion of ∽4X between n=4 and n=3 excited levels. Inversion between n=5 and n=3 is also observed. The ions are created from a graphite target by a 5 J, 16 ns Nd glass laser pulse focused to a 0.5 mm spot, i.e., 2 x 1011 W/cm2 . These ions expand into a gaseous atmosphere (H, He, Ne, Ar, …) . The greatest degree of inversion is observed at ∽15 mm from the target surface at a pressure of 1-2 Torr in helium or hydrogen. At this distance both ions and neutrals are detected by space - and time-resolved spectroscopy, and an electron density of 5 x 1016 cm– is measured from Stark broadening.