Evolution Of Shiva Laser Alignment Systems

Robert D. Boyd

doi:10.1117/12.959471

31 December 1980 Evolution Of Shiva Laser Alignment Systems

Robert D. Boyd

Proceedings Volume 0251, Optical Alignment I; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959471
Event: 24th Annual Technical Symposium, 1980, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The Shiva oscillator pulse is preamplified and divided into twenty beams. Each beam is then amplified, spatially filtered, directed, and focused onto a target a few hundred micrometers in size producing optical intensities up to 1016W/cm2. The laser was designed and built with three automatic alignment systems: the oscillator alignment system, which aligns each of the laser's three oscillators to a reference beamline; the chain input pointing system, which points each beam into its respective chain; and the chain output pointing, focusing and centering system which points, centers and focuses the beam onto the target. Recently the alignment of the laser's one hundred twenty spatial filter pinholes was also automated. This system uses digitized video images of back-illuminated pinholes and computer analysis to determine current positions. The offset of each current position from a desired center point is then translated into stepper motor commands and the pinhole is moved the proper distance. While motors for one pinhole are moving, the system can digitize, analyze, and send commands to other motors, allowing the system to efficiently align several pinholes in parallel.

Citation Download Citation

Robert D. Boyd "Evolution Of Shiva Laser Alignment Systems", Proc. SPIE 0251, Optical Alignment I, (31 December 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.959471

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