NIF pointing and centering systems and target alignment using a 351-nm laser source

Steven J. Boege; Erlan S. Bliss; Clifford J. Chocol; Fred R. Holdener; John L. Miller; John S. Toeppen; Charles S. Vann; Richard A. Zacharias

doi:10.1117/12.294311

8 December 1997 NIF pointing and centering systems and target alignment using a 351-nm laser source

Steven J. Boege, Erlan S. Bliss, Clifford J. Chocol, Fred R. Holdener, John L. Miller, John S. Toeppen, Charles S. Vann, Richard A. Zacharias

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3047, Solid State Lasers for Application to Inertial Confinement Fusion: Second Annual International Conference; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294311
Event: Second International Conference on Solid State Lasers for Application to ICF, 1996, Paris, France

Abstract

The operational requirements of the National Ignition Facility place tight constraints upon its alignment system. In general, the alignment system must establish and maintain the correct relationships between beam position, beam angle, laser component clear apertures, and the target. At the target, this includes adjustment of beam focus to obtain the correct spot size. This must be accomplished for all beamlines in the time consistent with planned shot rates and yet, in the front end and main laser, beam control functions cannot be initiated until the amplifiers have sufficiently cooled so as to minimize dynamic thermal distortions during and after alignment and wavefront optimization. The scope of the task dictates an automated system that implements parallel processes. We describe reticle choices and other alignment references, insertion of alignment beams, principles of operation of the Chamber Center Reference System and Target Alignment Sensor, and the anticipated alignment sequence that will occur between shots.

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Steven J. Boege, Erlan S. Bliss, Clifford J. Chocol, Fred R. Holdener, John L. Miller, John S. Toeppen, Charles S. Vann, and Richard A. Zacharias "NIF pointing and centering systems and target alignment using a 351-nm laser source", Proc. SPIE 3047, Solid State Lasers for Application to Inertial Confinement Fusion: Second Annual International Conference, (8 December 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294311

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