Performance of the short-pulse oscillators for Argus and Shiva

Conference · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5173065

Kuizenga, D J; Martin, W E

The large Nd:glass laser-fusion systems, such as Argus and Shiva, require short-pulse oscillators that are very reliable and predictable. The requirements go well beyond what can reasonably be expected from a passively mode-locked laser. An actively mode-locked and Q-switched oscillator has now been developed that is extremely reliable and predictable, and satisfies all the requirements for the present Nd:glass laser systems. These systems require pulses that are adjustable from less than 100 ps to more than 1 ns, with less than 5% shot-to-shot variation in pulse energy and pulse width. Single-pulse energy from 100 ..mu..J to 1 mJ is sufficient. In this paper we will describe the principle of operation of this short-pulse oscillator, describe the Argus laser configuration, and the results obtained with this oscillator. We will then indicate further developments for the Shiva oscillator and discuss the performance of this laser.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5173065
• Report Number(s): UCRL-79535; CONF-771040-8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300 -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
LASERS
NEODYMIUM LASERS
OPERATION
OSCILLATORS
PERFORMANCE
SHIVA FACILITY
SOLID STATE LASERS
SPECIFICATIONS