Interferometric characterization of cryogenic targets in a laser-fusion target chamber

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · SPIE Semin. Proc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.957864· OSTI ID:6579314

Tarvin, J A; Musinski, D L; Pattinson, T R; Sigler, R D; Busch, G E

Current cryogenic targets for laser fusion experiments consist of glass microshell pellets with deuterium-tritium fuel frozen inside. The fuel forms a uniform layer in the optimum configuration. Until very sophisticated injection systems are developed, these targets must be prepared in the experimental target chamber. This situation imposes restraints upon any technique used to characterize the quality of the targets before they are irradiated by the high power laser. This paper describes a wavefront-shearing interferometer for characterizing cryogenic targets in situ. The interferometer, which is based on the Saunder's shearing cube, is easy to adjust and is very stable in the presence of mechanical vibration; it produces fringes of high contrast without sacrificing intensity. The interferometer has been used with a low power pulsed laser to measure both the effect of amplified spontaneous emission, produced by the high power laser, and the effect of room-temperature thermal radiation on cryogenic targets.

• Research Organization: KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
• OSTI ID: 6579314
• Journal Information: SPIE Semin. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: SPIE Semin. Proc.; (United States) Vol. 192; ISSN SPIEC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

060201* -- Fusion Fuels-- Fabrication & Testing-- (1980-1987)
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATOR FACILITIES
CRYOGENICS
INSPECTION
INTERFEROMETERS
LASER TARGETS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROSPHERES
TARGET CHAMBERS
TARGETS