The megajoule laser program — ignition at hand

The French Commissariat à l'énergie Atomique (CEA) is currently building the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ), a 240-beam laser facility, at the CEA Laboratory CESTA near Bordeaux. LMJ will be a cornerstone of CEA's “Programme Simulation”, the French Stockpile Stewardship Program. LMJ is designed to deliver about 2 MJ of 0.35 μm light to targets for high energy density physics experiments, among which fusion experiments. LMJ technological choices were validated with the Ligne d'Intégration Laser (LIL), a scale 1 prototype of one LMJ bundle, built at CEA/CESTA. Plasma experiments started at the end of 2004 on LIL, which is already open to the scientific community through the Plasma and Lasers Institute. The construction of the LMJ building itself started in March of 2003. LMJ will be gradually commissioned from early 2011, and after an experimental program to progress toward fusion, the first fusion experiments will begin late 2012.     

Progress in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion research at the laboratory for laser energetics

Direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is expected to demonstrate high gain on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in the next decade and is a leading candidate for inertial fusion energy production. The demonstration of high areal densities in hydrodynamically scaled cryogenic DT or D₂ implosions with neutron yields that are a significant fraction of the “clean” 1-D predictions will validate the ignition-equivalent direct-drive target performance on the OMEGA laser at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). This paper highlights the recent experimental and theoretical progress leading toward achieving this validation in the next few years. The NIF will initially be configured for X-ray drive and with no beams placed at the target equator to provide a symmetric irradiation of a direct-drive capsule. LLE is developing the “polar-direct-drive” (PDD) approach that repoints beams toward the target equator. Initial 2-D simulations have shown ignition. A unique “Saturn-like” plastic ring around the equator refracts the laser light incident near the equator toward the target, improving the drive uniformity. LLE is currently constructing the multibeam, 2.6-kJ/beam, petawatt laser system OMEGA EP. Integrated fast-ignition experiments, combining the OMEGA EP and OMEGA Laser Systems, will begin in FY08.     

Update on design simulations for NIF ignition targets, and the rollup of all specifications into an error budget

Targets intended to produce ignition on NIF are being simulated and the simulations are used to set specifications for target fabrication and other program elements. Recent design work has focused on designs that assume only 1.0 MJ of laser energy instead of the previous 1.6 MJ. To perform with less laser energy, the hohlraum has been redesigned to be more efficient than previously, and the capsules are slightly smaller. Three hohlraum designs are being examined: gas fill, SiO₂ foam fill, and SiO₂ lined. All have a cocktail wall, and shields mounted between the capsule and the laser entrance holes. Two capsule designs are being considered. One has a graded doped Be(Cu) ablator, and the other graded doped CH(Ge). Both can perform acceptably with recently demonstrated ice layer quality, and with recently demonstrated outer surface roughness. Complete tables of specifications are being prepared for both targets, to be completed this fiscal year. All the specifications are being rolled together into an error budget indicating adequate margin for ignition with the new designs. The dominant source of error is hohlraum asymmetry at intermediate modes 4–8, indicating the importance of experimental techniques to measure and control this asymmetry.     

Tails of the dynamical structure factor of 1D spinless fermions beyond the Tomonaga approximation

We consider one-dimensional (1D) interacting spinless fermions with a non-linear spectrum in a clean quantum wire (non-linear bosonization). We compute diagrammatically the 1D dynamical structure factor, S(ω,q), beyond the Tomonaga approximation focusing on it's tails, |ω| ≫vq, i.e. the 2-pair excitation continuum due to forward scattering. Our methodology reveals three classes of diagrams: two “chiral” classes which bring divergent contributions in the limits ω→±vq, i.e. near the single-pair excitation continuum, and a “mixed” class (so-called Aslamasov-Larkin or Altshuler-Shklovskii type diagrams) which is crucial for the f-sum rule to be satisfied. We relate our approach to the T=0 ones present in the literature. We also consider the case and show that the 2-pair excitation continuum dominates the single-pair one in the range: |q|T/k_F ≪ω±vq ≪T (substantial for q ≪k_F). As applications we first derive the small-momentum optical conductivity due to forward scattering: σ∼1/ω for T ≪ω and σ∼T/ω² for T ≫ω. Next, within the 2-pair excitation continuum, we show that the attenuation rate of a coherent mode of dispersion Ω_q crosses over from , e.g. γ_q ∼|q|³ for an acoustic mode, to , independent of Ω_q, as temperature increases. Finally, we show that the 2-pair excitation continuum yields subleading curvature corrections to the electron-electron scattering rate: , where V is the dimensionless strength of the interaction.     

Planarity and stability of shock driven directly by the ninth laser beam from “Shenguang-II" laser facility

Using the ninth laser beam (converted to 2ω) of “Shenguang-II” laser facility and the beam smoothing technology of lens-array [Appl. Opt. 25, 377 (1986); Phys. Plasmas. 9, 3201 (1995)], a shock wave with 700 μm (the root-mean-square of shock breakout time (RMS) RMS ≈ 6.32 ps) flat top was created. An Al-Al four-step target was designed to do research on shock wave stability in an Al target. And the shock stability experiment with the Al-Al four-step target indicated that the shock wave steadily propagated in the Al target of thickness of about 20–45 μm under the power density of ~ 1.0×10¹⁴ W/cm².     

Multiphase patterns in self-phase-locked optical parametric oscillators

Multiphase patterns are found in a mean-field model of a singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator that converts a pump field at frequency 3ω into signal and idler fields at frequencies 2ω and ω. A complex Ginzburg-Landau equation without diffusion and with a quadratic phase-sensitive nonlinear term is derived under single-longitudinal and paraxial propagation approximations. Owing to the phase-matched multistep parametric process ω + ω = 2ω, phase locking of the resonated signal field is possible with three distinct phase states. Three-armed rotating spirals, target patterns and light filamentation are found by a numerical analysis of the mean-field equation. Received 19 April 2001 and Received in final form 21 June 2001     

Recent results and future prospects of laser fusion research at ILE, Osaka

Reviewed are the present status of the fast ignition researches. Since 1997, the fast ignition experiment and theory researches have been extensively continued at the Institute of Laser Engineering of Osaka University. In particular, the cone-shell target experiments and simulation research have been progressing. In order to demonstrate heating of imploded high density plasma to the ignition temperature, in the April of 2003, the construction of heating laser of 10 kJ/10 ps/1.06 μm (Laser for Fusion Experiment; LFEX), for FIREX-I (Fast Ignition Realization Experiment) has started. The fabrication of DT foam cryogenic cone target is also under development as a collaboration program between Osaka University and NIFS (National Institute for Fusion Science). The LFEX will be completed in 2008. After the completion of LFEX, the foam cryogenic cone shell target experiment will start in 2008. As a new approach toward a compact ignition, an impact fusion has been proposed, where the ablative acceleration to the order of 10⁸ cm/s is the key issue. The ablation acceleration related to the impact fusion has been explored by experiments.     

Generation of 100 μJ pulses at 82.8 nm by frequency tripling of sub-picosecond KrF laser radiation

. Investigations of the efficient generation of powerful coherent radiation at 82.8 nm by frequency tripling of short-pulse KrF laser radiation are presented. Argon gas is selected as nonlinear medium due to the resonantly enhanced 3rd-order susceptibility χ⁽³⁾(-3ω,ω,ω,ω). Pulse energies of 100 μJ at 82.8 nm have been measured for a pump pulse energy of 14 mJ. An upscaling to more than 500 μJ is expected with available more powerful pump lasers. Features of this XUV source and possible applications are discussed. Received: 26 July 2002 / Published online: 15 November 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +49-511/7622211, E-mail: reinhardt@iqo.uni-hannover.de     

Optimization of a laser mitigation process in damaged fused silica

One of the major concerns encountered in high power laser is the laser-induced damage of optical components. This is a main issue of the development of the Europe's biggest laser, known as Laser Méga Joule (LMJ) especially in the section where the beam wavelength is 351 nm. This study deals with the development of a laser treatment process to improve the laser damage resistance of silica optical components. First, by irradiating the component at 355 nm in the nanosecond regime, defects of the silica optic are revealed and evolve as damage. Next, the damaged sites are irradiated with a CO₂ laser at a 10.6 μm wavelength in order to melt and evaporate the silica in the damage neighborhood. In this study, we performed a variation of the CO₂ laser parameters to obtain the most efficient stabilization. To check this stabilization, damage resistance tests were performed with an UV laser representative of the LMJ (at 355 nm/2.5 ns). The results show that we can stabilize weak points and thereby make the component resistant to subsequent UV laser irradiation.     

Inclusive ω photoproduction from nuclei and ω in the nuclear medium

With the aim of extracting information on the shift of the ω mass in the nuclear medium we analyze data obtained at ELSA from where claims for evidence of a mass shift of the ω have been made. We develop a Monte Carlo simulation code which takes into account the possible reactions in the experimental set-up of (γA → π⁰γX) in the vicinity of the ω production region with subsequent ω → π⁰γ decay. We compare our results with experiment for the distribution of π⁰γ invariant masses and conclude that the distribution is compatible with an enlarged ω width of about 90MeV at nuclear-matter density and no shift in the mass. This change in the width would be compatible with the preliminary results obtained from the transparency ratio in the A-dependence of ω production. The discrepancy of the present conclusions with former claims of an evidence for a shift of the ω mass stems from a different choice of background which is discussed in the paper.     

Comparison of Laser Chemical Processing and LaserMicroJet for structuring and cutting silicon substrates

This paper deals with the development of a new cutting method for thin silicon solar wafers with liquid-jet-guided lasers (LaserMicroJet®, LMJ, and Laser Chemical Processing, LCP). Several laser systems with different wavelengths were tested to find the optimum laser system and processing parameters in terms of efficient material removal and deep laser cutting. Water and potassium hydroxide were used as carrier liquids to enhance laser ablation. The ablation efficiency was defined as a target parameter and experimentally determined by performing single laser grooves. It is demonstrated that the ablation process of LMJ is mainly affected by silicon melting and then removing by the liquid-jet momentum for single laser grooves. Best result for deep laser grooves is achieved if evaporation dominates the ablation process. Better surface quality referred to laser-induced crystalline damage is presented for a cut wafer with LMJ in comparison to a standard multiwire slurry saw. This shows a great potential of wafering with liquid-jet-guided lasers although no optimal liquid media was used.     

Absorption and scattering of high-power laser radiation in low-density porous media

We have experimentally investigated the interaction of high-power neodymium laser pulses in the intensity range 10¹³–10¹⁴ W/cm² with flat low-density (0.5–10 mg/cm³) agar-agar targets under conditions of interest for problems of inertial nuclear fusion. Optical and x-ray methods with high temporal and spatial resolution were used to examine the dependence of absorption and scattering of the incident beam on the initial mean density and thickness of the irradiated samples. We show that when a porous target is irradiated, a bulk absorption layer of high-temperature plasma is produced inside the target whose dimensions are determined by the initial density of the material. The time dependence and spectral composition of the harmonics 2ω ₀ and 3ω ₀/2 observed in the plasma-scattered radiation are measured. A theoretical model is developed that describes the interaction of high-power laser pulses with a porous medium. Predictions of the model, based on the hypothesis of two stages of homogenization of the target material—a fast stage (0.1–0.3 ns) and a slow stage (1–3 ns), are in good agreement with the experimental data. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 805–818 (March 1999)     

Three-half harmonic generation in laser-plasma interaction: Evidence for plasmon propagation

Summary Side emitted 3ω/2 radiation was studied by interacting 1.064 μm laser light with plasmas obtained from exploding thin foils. Both focusing (f/8) and collecting (f/7) optics were designed in order to reduce the instrumental bandwidth of the 3ω/2 spectrum. Time-resolved spectra and time-resolved images were obtained and analysed. All the observed spectral features, including the substantial lack of a ?blue? component, the amount of red shift and bandwidth, are consistent with the Karttunen theory of half-integer harmonics generated in plasmas. This theory takes into account the propagation of ω/2 plasmons produced by ?two plasmon decay? and their coupling with laser light.     

Dynamics of atom scattering from 4He nanoclusters

We present a microscopic theory and results of atom scattering calculations to determine the dispersion of surface modes (ripplons) of superfluid helium-4 nanodroplets, expanding previous work [J. Chem. Phys. 115, 10161 (2001)]. A quantum transport formalism is adapted to the many-body scattering problem, yielding both elastic and inelastic fluxes. We demonstrate that, in analogy to the dynamic structure function S(k,ω) obtained from neutron scattering, a dynamic structure function σ(k,ω) can be obtained from ³He scattering. The ³He dynamic structure function σ(k,ω) is sensitive to surface dynamics, whereas the neutron dynamic structure function S(k,ω) is dominated by bulk-like excitations, in particular by rotons. Unlike for neutron-scattering, the total inelastic cross section for atom-scattering on ⁴He nanodroplets is large which we believe makes experimental detection feasible. We also show that scattering identical particles, i.e. ⁴He atoms, does not provide information about the dispersion of surface modes. Instead, inelastically scattered ⁴He atoms preferably lose roughly half their energy.     

Energy- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectra of above-threshold ionization and detachment

We analyze strong-laser-field induced above-threshold ionization and above-threshold detachment processes within the strong-field approximation. Energy and angular distribution of photoelectrons are presented for two cases: (1) high-order above-threshold ionization of electrons from neutral atoms by a linearly polarized laser field and (2) above-threshold detachment of electrons from negative ions by a bicircular laser field. In particular, for the case (1) we compare the results obtained using a long pulse with the flat-top spatial intensity distribution in the laser focus with the results obtained using the Gaussian distribution. We also analyze the intensity-dependent resonant-like enhancements. We show that the position and shape of these enhancements strongly depend on the atomic ground state parity. The bicircular field of the case (2) consists of two counter-rotating circularly polarized fields having the frequencies rω and sω with integer r and s. The properties of the photoelectron spectra generated by such bicircular field are illustrated using an ω–4ω example. The spectra obtained are explained in terms of the interference of partial detachment amplitudes which correspond to different complex solutions of the saddle-point equations.     

New χ (3)-nonlinear-laser manifestations in tetragonal LuVO4 crystal: more than sesqui-octave Raman-induced Stokes and anti-Stokes comb generation and cascaded self-frequency “tripling”

We report the experimental investigations of nonlinear-laser effects in LuVO₄ vanadate under one-micron picosecond Nd³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ pumping. In this tetragonal host-crystal for Ln³⁺ lasants for the first time we excited ultra-broad, more than one and half octave (13500 cm⁻¹) Raman induced Stokes and anti-Stokes generation combs and observed multi-step cascaded parametric χ ⁽³⁾-lasing in UV spectral region. All generation lines were identified and attributed to SRS-promoting modes of the crystal (ω _SRS1≈900 cm⁻¹ and ω _SRS2≈113 cm⁻¹). We classified this vanadate as a promising material for self-Raman laser converters.     

Zero bias anomaly in the density of states of low-dimensional metals

We consider the effect of Coulomb interactions on the average density of states (DOS) of disordered low-dimensional metals for temperatures T and frequencies ω smaller than the inverse elastic life-time 1/τ. Using the fact that long-range Coulomb interactions in two dimensions (2d) generate ln²-singularities in the DOS ν(ω) but only ln-singularities in the conductivity σ(ω), we can re-sum the most singular contributions to the average DOS via a simple gauge-transformation. If σ(ω) > 0, then a metallic Coulomb gapν(ω) ∝ |ω|/e ⁴ appears in the DOS at T = 0 for frequencies below a certain crossover frequency Ω ₂ which depends on the value of the DC conductivity σ(0). Here, - e is the charge of the electron. Naively adopting the same procedure to calculate the DOS in quasi 1d metals, we find ν(ω) ∝ (|ω|/Ω ₁)^1/2exp(- Ω ₁/|ω|) at T = 0, where Ω ₁ is some interaction-dependent frequency scale. However, we argue that in quasi 1d the above gauge-transformation method is on less firm grounds than in 2d. We also discuss the behavior of the DOS at finite temperatures and give numerical results for the expected tunneling conductance that can be compared with experiments. Received 28 August 2001 / Received in final form 28 January 2002 Published online 9 July 2002     

Spin-wave contributions to nuclear magnetic relaxation in magnetic metals

The longitudinal and transverse nuclear magnetic relaxation rates 1/T ₁(T) and 1/T ₂(T) are calculated for three- and two-dimensional (3D and 2D) metallic ferro- and antiferromagnets (FM and AFM) with localized magnetic moments in the spin-wave temperature region. The contribution of the one-magnon decay processes is strongly enhanced in comparison with the standard T-linear Korringa term, especially for the FM case. For the 3D AFM case this contribution diverges logarithmically, the divergence being cut at the magnon gap ω due to magnetic anisotropy, and for the 2D AFM case as ω^-1. The electron-magnon scattering processes yield T ²ln(T/ω) and T ²/ω^1/2-terms in 1/T ₁ for the 3D AFM and 2D FM cases, respectively. The two-magnon (“Raman”) contributions are investigated and demonstrated to be large in the 2D FM case. Peculiarities of the isotropic 2D limit (where the correlation length is very large) are analyzed. Received 29 November 1999 and Received in final form 6 June 2000     

Numerical study of the directed polymer in a 1 + 3 dimensional random medium

The directed polymer in a 1+3 dimensional random medium is known to present a disorder-induced phase transition. For a polymer of length L, the high temperature phase is characterized by a diffusive behavior for the end-point displacement R² ∼L and by free-energy fluctuations of order ΔF(L) ∼O(1). The low-temperature phase is characterized by an anomalous wandering exponent R²/L ∼L^ω and by free-energy fluctuations of order ΔF(L) ∼L^ω where ω∼0.18. In this paper, we first study the scaling behavior of various properties to localize the critical temperature T_c. Our results concerning R²/L and ΔF(L) point towards 0.76 < T_c ≤T₂=0.79, so our conclusion is that T_c is equal or very close to the upper bound T₂ derived by Derrida and coworkers (T₂ corresponds to the temperature above which the ratio remains finite as L ↦ ∞). We then present histograms for the free-energy, energy and entropy over disorder samples. For T ≫T_c, the free-energy distribution is found to be Gaussian. For T ≪T_c, the free-energy distribution coincides with the ground state energy distribution, in agreement with the zero-temperature fixed point picture. Moreover the entropy fluctuations are of order ΔS ∼L^1/2 and follow a Gaussian distribution, in agreement with the droplet predictions, where the free-energy term ΔF ∼L^ω is a near cancellation of energy and entropy contributions of order L^1/2.