Application of adaptive optics for controlling the NIF laser performance and spot size

Richard A. Sacks; Jerome M. Auerbach; Erlan S. Bliss; Mark A. Henesian; Janice K. Lawson; Kenneth R. Manes; P. A. Renard; J. Thaddeus Salmon; John B. Trenholme; Wade H. Williams; Scott Winters; Richard A. Zacharias

doi:10.1117/12.354146

23 July 1999 Application of adaptive optics for controlling the NIF laser performance and spot size

Richard A. Sacks, Jerome M. Auerbach, Erlan S. Bliss, Mark A. Henesian, Janice K. Lawson, Kenneth R. Manes, P. A. Renard, J. Thaddeus Salmon, John B. Trenholme, Wade H. Williams, Scott Winters, Richard A. Zacharias

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3492, Third International Conference on Solid State Lasers for Application to Inertial Confinement Fusion; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354146
Event: Third International Conference on Solid State Lasers for Application to Inertial Confinement Fusion, 1998, Monterey, CA, United States

Abstract

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser will use a 192- beam multi-pass architecture capable of delivering several MJ of UV energy in temporal phase formats varying from sub- ns square to 20 ns precisely-defined high-contrast shapes. Each beam wavefront will be subjected to effects of optics inhomogeneities, figuring errors, mounting distortions, prompt and slow thermal effects from flashlamps, driven and passive air-path turbulence, and gravity-driven deformations. A 39-actuator intra-cavity deformable mirror, controlled by data from a 77-lenslet Hartman sensor will be used to correct these wavefront aberrations and thus to assure that stringent farfield spot requirements are met. We have developed numerical models for the expected distortions, the operation of the adaptive optics systems, and the anticipated effects on beam propagation, component damage, frequency conversion, and target-plane energy distribution. These models have been extensively validated against data from LLNL's Beamlet, and Amplab lasers. We review the expected beam wavefront aberrations and their potential for adverse effects on the laser performance, describe our model of the corrective system operation, and display our predictions for corrected-beam operation of the NIF laser.

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Richard A. Sacks, Jerome M. Auerbach, Erlan S. Bliss, Mark A. Henesian, Janice K. Lawson, Kenneth R. Manes, P. A. Renard, J. Thaddeus Salmon, John B. Trenholme, Wade H. Williams, Scott Winters, and Richard A. Zacharias "Application of adaptive optics for controlling the NIF laser performance and spot size", Proc. SPIE 3492, Third International Conference on Solid State Lasers for Application to Inertial Confinement Fusion, (23 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354146

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