Abstract
Experiments on laser-induced thermonuclear fusion require high brightness lasers capable of producing subnanosecond pulses with total energy content of several kilojoules. Of existing laser media, Nd:glass appears to be the best choice for meeting these criteria. In this paper we discuss the problems of designing a high power Nd:glass laser system. A detailed description of an operating two-beam system producing subnanosecond pulses with a maximum energy of 350 J per beam is presented, along with an extensive description of beam diagnostic techniques. A four beam version of this system became operational on 3 April 1974 and is now producing energies in excess of a kilojoule in subnanosecond pulses.
© 1974 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
N. K. Moncur, R. P. Johnson, R. G. Watt, and R. B. Gibson
Appl. Opt. 34(21) 4274-4283 (1995)
W. Seka, J. Soures, O. Lewis, J. Bunkenburg, D. Brown, S. Jacobs, G. Mourou, and J. Zimmermann
Appl. Opt. 19(3) 409-419 (1980)
H. G. Ahlstrom
Appl. Opt. 20(11) 1902-1924 (1981)