Precision assembly and alignment of large optic modules for the National Ignition Facility
The National Ignition Facility (NIF), currently under design and construction at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), will be the world`s biggest laser. The optics for the multipass, 192-beam, high-power, neodymium-glass laser will be assembled and aligned in the NIF Optics Assembly Building (OAB), adjacent to the huge Laser and Target Area Building (LTAB), where they will be installed. To accommodate the aggressive schedule for initial installation and activation, rapid assembly and alignment of large aperture optics into line replaceable units (LRUs) will occur through the use of automated handling, semi-autonomous operations, and strict protocols. The OAB will have to maintain rigorous cleanliness levels, achieve both commonality and versatility to handle the various optic types, and allow for just-in-time processing and delivery of the optics into the LTAB without undoing their strict cleanliness and precise alignment. This paper describes the Project`s design philosophy of modularity and hardware commonality and presents the many design challenges encountered. It also describes how, by using a mixture of commercially available and newly designed equipment, we have developed unique systems for assembly and alignment, inspection and verification, and LRU loading and transfer.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 304624
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC--130309; CONF-980810--; ON: DE98058347; BR: 39DP02000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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