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Laser fusion experiments at the laboratory for laser energetics

Journal Article · · Bulletin of the American Physical Society
OSTI ID:127855
 [1]
  1. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
The basic concepts of laser fusion are presented along with an overview of the experimental program at LLE. The novel beam-smoothing techniques developed at Rochester are presented with results showing how these techniques are beneficial to laser fusion. The design of a 30 kJ, 351 nm, 60-beam upgrade to the OMEGA laser will also be presented. The system will provide a unique capability to validate high-performance, direct-drive laser-fusion targets. This design will attain 1-2% irradiation uniformity with versatile pulse shaping, thus providing a wide range of irradiation options for direct-drive experiments. The Nd:glass laser system consists of 60 beamlines using 20-cm disk power-amplifiers, frequency-tripling, phase conversion with diffractive optics, and smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD). The initial pulse shape will be achieved by co-axial propagation of two beams having different pulse-widths. These {open_quotes}main{close_quotes} and {open_quotes}foot{close_quotes} pulses will occupy different portions of the laser aperture. In addition, electro-optic technology will be used for shaping and truncation of these pulses.
DOE Contract Number:
FC03-85DP40200
OSTI ID:
127855
Report Number(s):
CONF-920376--
Journal Information:
Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 37; ISSN BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English