The National Ignition Facility: the world's largest optical system

Christopher J. Stolz

doi:10.1117/12.773365

28 November 2007 The National Ignition Facility: the world's largest optical system

Christopher J. Stolz

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Proceedings Volume 6834, Optical Design and Testing III; 683402 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.773365
Event: Photonics Asia 2007, 2007, Beijing, China

Abstract

The National Ignition Facility (NIF), a 192-beam fusion laser, is presently under construction at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory with an expected completion in 2008.^1-5 The facility contains 7,456 meter-scale optics for amplification, beam steering, vacuum barriers, focusing, polarization rotation, and wavelength conversion.⁶ A multiphase program was put in place to increase the monthly optical manufacturing rate by up to 20x while simultaneously reducing cost by up to 3x through a sub-scale development, full-scale facilitization, and a pilot production phase. Currently 80% of the optics are complete with over 50% installed. In order to manufacture the high quality optics at desired manufacturing rate of over 100 precision optics per month, new more deterministic advanced fabrication technologies had to be employed over those used to manufacture previous fusion lasers.

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Christopher J. Stolz "The National Ignition Facility: the world's largest optical system", Proc. SPIE 6834, Optical Design and Testing III, 683402 (28 November 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.773365

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KEYWORDS

National Ignition Facility

Mirrors

Crystals

Optics manufacturing

Laser glasses

Resistance

Polishing

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