KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Laser safety, Control systems, Safety, Defense and security, High power lasers, Laser systems engineering, Beam controllers, Hazard analysis, Laser energy
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the largest and
most energetic laser in the world contained in a
complex the size of a football stadium. From the
initial laser pulse, provided by telecommunication style
infrared nanoJoule pulsed lasers, to the final 192 laser
beams (1.8 Mega Joules total energy in the ultraviolet)
converging on a target the size of a pencil eraser, laser
safety is of paramount concern.
In addition to this, there are numerous high-powered
(Class 3B and 4) diagnostic lasers in use that can
potentially send their laser radiation travelling
throughout the facility. With individual beam paths of
up to 1500 meters and a workforce of more than one
thousand, the potential for exposure is significant.
Simple laser safety practices utilized in typical laser
labs just don't apply. To mitigate these hazards, NIF
incorporates a multi layered approach to laser safety or
"Defense in Depth."
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