Showing papers by "Christopher A. Ebbers published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this article, preliminary conceptual laser system designs for the Laser ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) Fission Energy (LIFE) application were developed for the first time.
Abstract: We have developed preliminary conceptual laser system designs for the Laser ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) Fission Energy (LIFE) application. Our approach leverages experience in high-energy Nd:...
32 citations
06 Oct 2009
TL;DR: The Laser Technology test facility (LTF) as discussed by the authors is a 100Hz diode-pumped solid state laser system intended for accelerated testing of the diodes, gain media, optics, frequency converters and final optics, providing system statistics for billion shot class tests.
Abstract: A LIFE laser driver needs to be designed and operated which meets the rigorous requirements of the NIF laser system while operating at high average power, and operate for a lifetime of >30 years. Ignition on NIF will serve to demonstrate laser driver functionality, operation of the Mercury laser system at LLNL demonstrates the ability of a diode-pumped solid-state laser to run at high average power, but the operational lifetime >30 yrs remains to be proven. A Laser Technology test Facility (LTF) has been designed to specifically address this issue. The LTF is a 100-Hz diode-pumped solid-state laser system intended for accelerated testing of the diodes, gain media, optics, frequency converters and final optics, providing system statistics for billion shot class tests. These statistics will be utilized for material and technology development as well as economic and reliability models for LIFE laser drivers.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a high average power diode pumped solid state laser is used to pump large aperture Ti:sapphire enabling high average-power chirped pulse amplification.
Abstract: A high average power diode pumped solid state laser is used to pump large aperture Ti:sapphire enabling high average power chirped pulse amplification. After compression, over a petawatt of peak power will be used to generate fusion ions and neutrons for materials testing of first wall and final optics candidates.
11 citations
Patent•
19 Aug 2009TL;DR: In this article, a method of manufacturing a plurality of diffractive optical elements includes providing a partially transmissive slide, providing a first piece of PTR glass, and directing first UV radiation through the partially-transmissive slide to impinge on the first piece.
Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of diffractive optical elements includes providing a partially transmissive slide, providing a first piece of PTR glass, and directing first UV radiation through the partially transmissive slide to impinge on the first piece of PTR glass. The method also includes exposing predetermined portions of the first piece of PTR glass to the first UV radiation and thermally treating the exposed first piece of PTR glass. The method further includes providing a second piece of PTR glass and directing second UV radiation through the thermally treated first piece of PTR glass to impinge on the second piece of PTR glass. The method additionally includes exposing predetermined portions of the second piece of PTR glass to the second UV radiation, thermally treating the exposed second piece of PTR glass, and repeating providing and processing of the second piece of PTR glass using additional pieces of PTR glass.
7 citations
01 Feb 2009
TL;DR: In this article, an all-reflective pulse stretcher based on an Offner telescope was designed and built to simplify alignment and reduce aberrations in a 10 Hz repetition rate, high average power femtosecond laser.
Abstract: We have designed and built an all-reflective pulse stretcher based on an Offner telescope. It uses cylindrical optics to simplify alignment and reduce aberrations. The stretch is ~1x105 with a bandwidth of 200 nm. The stretcher is to be part of a 10 Hz repetition rate, high-average-power, femtosecond laser. This new design compensates for dispersion in the laser by using gratings of different groove spacing in the stretcher and compressor and a spectral phase corrector plate, made by magneto-rheological finishing, within the stretcher.
5 citations
30 Apr 2009
TL;DR: A tunable gamma-ray source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development at LLNL as discussed by the authors, where high-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by the linac interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps laser pulse to generate tunable γ-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering.
Abstract: A precision, tunable gamma-ray source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by the linac interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps laser pulse to generate tunable {gamma}-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. The source will be used to excite nuclear resonance fluorescence lines in various isotopes; applications include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented.
3 citations
20 Aug 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, a tunable gamma-ray source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is developed at the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Liver National Laboratory (LLNL).
Abstract: Recent progress in accelerator physics and laser technology have enabled the development of a new class of gamma-ray light sources based on Compton scattering between a high-brightness, relativistic electron beam and a high intensity laser pulse produced via chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). A precision, tunable gamma-ray source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by the linac interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps laser pulse to generate tunable rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. The source will be used to excite nuclear resonance fluorescence lines in various isotopes; applications include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented.