An x-ray technique for precision laser beam synchronization

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995 · Review of Scientific Instruments; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1146222· OSTI ID:7060335

Landen, O L; Lerche, R A; Hay, R G; Hammel, B A; Kalantar, D; Cable, M D ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P. O. Box 5508, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)

A new x-ray technique for recording the relative arrival times of multiple laser beams at a common target with better than [plus minus]10-ps accuracy has been implemented at the Nova laser facility. 80-ps, 3[omega] Nova beams are focused to separate locations on a gold ribbon target viewed from the side. The measurement consists of using well-characterized reentrant x-ray streak cameras for one-dimensional streaked imaging of the [gt]3-keV x rays emanating from these isolated laser plasmas. After making the necessary corrections for the differential laser, x-ray and electron transit times involved, timing offsets as low as [plus minus]7 ps are resolved, and on subsequent shots, corrected for, verified, and independently checked. This level of synchronization proved critical in meeting the power balance requirements for indirectly driven pulse-shaped Nova implosions.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7060335
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments; (United States), Vol. 66:1; ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
NOVA FACILITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
X-RAY DETECTION
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
KEV RANGE 01-10
STREAK CAMERAS
TIME RESOLUTION
CAMERAS
DETECTION
ENERGY RANGE
KEV RANGE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
700320* - Plasma Diagnostic Techniques & Instrumentation- (1992-)