Antares Power Amplifier Optical System

C. J. Silvernail; K. C. Jones

doi:10.1117/12.957746

13 November 1980 Antares Power Amplifier Optical System

C. J. Silvernail, K. C. Jones

Proceedings Volume 0190, Los Alamos Conference on Optics 1979; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.957746
Event: Los Alamos Conference on Optics '79, 1979, Los Alamos, United States

Abstract

We describe the optical systems of the six Antares Laser Power Amplifiers. These assemblies are preceded by the front-end optics and followed by the target system. Each power amplifier receives an annular input beam and divides it into 12 beams which are then directed to double pass them through 12 gain regions surrounding a central electron gun. Provisions are being made for spatially filtering each beam and for the possibility of adding saturable absorbers. Two keys to the successful completion of the power amplifier are: (1) the avoidance of unwanted lasing modes and hot spots in the wavefronts, and (2) the maintenance of alignment throughout the entire laser system, including the internal alignment of the Power Amplifier. The goal has been to minimize alignment problems by careful and simplistic design of the mountings, stressing modular assemblies and accessibility. We have succeeded in designing to average energy densities of 2.0 J/cm2 for salt windows and 3.0 J/cm2 on copper mirrors, while extracting the largest possible energy from the volume of gas which is electrically pumped.

Citation Download Citation

C. J. Silvernail and K. C. Jones "Antares Power Amplifier Optical System", Proc. SPIE 0190, Los Alamos Conference on Optics 1979, (13 November 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.957746

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