Plasma Electrode Pockels Cells for the Beamlet and NIF lasers
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
The authors describe Plasma Electrode Pockels Cells (PEPC) for the Beamlet laser and the proposed National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser. These PEPCs, together with passive polarizers, function as large aperture (>35 x 35 cm{sup 2}) optical switches enabling the design of high-energy (>5 kJ), multipass laser amplifiers. In a PEPC, plasma discharges form on both sides of a thin (1 cm) electro-optic crystal (KDP). These plasma discharges produce highly conductive and transparent electrodes that facilitate rapid (<100 ns) and uniform charging of the KDP up to the half-wave voltage (17 kV) and back to zero volts. The authors discuss the operating principles, design, and optical performance of the Beamlet PEPC and briefly discuss their plans to extend PEPC technology for the NIF.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 41489
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940630--
- Journal Information:
- Fusion Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 26; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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