Short pulse development and debris mitigation studies for the HELEN laser

James E. Andrew

doi:10.1117/12.638028

7 February 2006 Short pulse development and debris mitigation studies for the HELEN laser

James E. Andrew

Proceedings Volume 5991, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2005; 59911K (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.638028
Event: Boulder Damage Symposium XXXVII: Annual Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers, 2005, Boulder, CO, United States

Abstract

AWE has operated lasers for studying the properties of materials at high temperatures and pressures since the early 1970s [1]. A brief review of those facilities will be given along with a description of the changes to HELEN in the period 2003 - 2005 to enable it to provide both chirped pulse amplification [CPA] pulses and nanosecond pulses to laser targets simultaneously. The CPA beam is now giving laser pulses of typically 70 Joules in 500 femtoseconds. As a necessary part of operating such a system it has been necessary to study how laser-target debris is distributed from both long and short pulse interactions so that the contamination or degradation of focussing optics during operational activities is minimised. The short pulse experiments and the characteristics of debris fields emanating from laser targets will be described. Damage thresholds were established for coated and uncoated debris shields with millimetre to centimetre size beams. Future developments of the laser facilities at AWE in this decade will also be described as well as possible debris mitigation options that may be employed.

Citation Download Citation

James E. Andrew "Short pulse development and debris mitigation studies for the HELEN laser", Proc. SPIE 5991, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 2005, 59911K (7 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.638028

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available