Three Wavelength Optical Alignment Of The Nova Laser

Charles D. Swift; Erlan S. Bliss; W. Al ford Jones; Lynn G . Seppala

doi:10.1117/12.943115

13 August 1984 Three Wavelength Optical Alignment Of The Nova Laser

Charles D. Swift, Erlan S. Bliss, W. Al ford Jones, Lynn G . Seppala

Proceedings Volume 0483, Optical Alignment II; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943115
Event: 1984 Technical Symposium East, 1984, Arlington, United States

Abstract

The Nova laser, presently under construction at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will be capable of delivering more than 100 kJ of focused energy to an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target. Operation at the fundamental wavelength of the laser (1.05 Am) and at the second and third harmonic will be possible. This paper will discuss the optical alignment systems and techniques being implemented to align the laser output to the target at these wavelengths prior to each target irradiation. When experiments require conversion of the laser light to wavelengths of 0.53 μm and 0.35 μm prior to target irradiation, this will be accomplished in harmonic conversion crystals located at the beam entrances to the target chamber. The harmonic alignment system will be capable of introducing colinear alignment beams of all three wavelengths into the laser chains at the final spatial filter. The alignment beam at 1.05 μm will be about three cm in diameter and intense enough to align the conversion crystals. Beams at 0.53 μm and 0.35 Am will be expanded by the spatial filter to full aperture (74 cm) and used to illuminate the target and other alignment aids at the target chamber focus. This harmonic illumination system will include viewing capability as well. A final alignment sensor will be located at the target chamber. It will view images of the chamber focal plane at all three wavelengths. In this way, each beam can be aligned at the desired wavelength to produce the focal pattern required for each target irradiation. The design of the major components in the harmonic alignment system will be described, and a typical alignment sequence for alignment to a target will be presented.

Citation Download Citation

Charles D. Swift, Erlan S. Bliss, W. Al ford Jones, and Lynn G . Seppala "Three Wavelength Optical Alignment Of The Nova Laser", Proc. SPIE 0483, Optical Alignment II, (13 August 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943115

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