The design of the optical Thomson scattering diagnostic for the National Ignition Facility [The preliminary design of the optical Thomson scattering diagnostic for the National Ignition Facility]

Journal Article · Wed Sep 21 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4962043· OSTI ID:1360161

Datte, P. S. ^[1]; Ross, J. S. ^[1]; Froula, D. H.  ^[2]; Daub, K. D.  ^[1]; Galbraith, J. ^[1]; Glenzer, S. ^[3]; Hatch, B. ^[1]; Katz, J. ^[2]; Kilkenny, J. ^[1]; Landen, O.  ^[1]; Manha, D. ^[1]; Manuel, A. M. ^[1]; Molander, W. ^[1]; Montgomery, D. ^[4]; Moody, J. ^[1]; Swadling, G. F.  ^[1]; Weaver, J.  ^[5]

---

1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Univ. of Rochester, Rochester, NY (United States)
3. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
4. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
5. Naval Research Lab., Washington, D.C. (United States)

Here, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192 laser beam facility designed to support the Stockpile Stewardship, High Energy Density and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) programs. We report on the design of an Optical Thomson Scattering (OTS) diagnostic that has the potential to transform the community’s understanding of NIF hohlraum physics by providing first principle, local, time-resolved measurements of under-dense plasma conditions. The system design allows operation with different probe laser wavelengths by manual selection of the appropriate beam splitter and gratings before the shot. A deep-UV probe beam (λ₀-210 nm) will be used to optimize the scattered signal for plasma densities of 5 × 10²⁰ electrons/cm³ while a 3ω probe will be used for experiments investigating lower density plasmas of 1 × 10¹⁹ electrons/cm³. We report the phase I design of a two phase design strategy. Phase I includes the OTS telescope, spectrometer, and streak camera; these will be used to assess the background levels at NIF. Phase II will include the design and installation of a probe laser.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 1360161
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 87, Issue 11; ISSN 0034-6748
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY