US 2024/0396281 A1 · Absorbing Optical Switch for High Fluence Laser Pulse

Abstract

In an inertial containment fusion (ICF) system which uses a KrF laser, it is beneficial to perform pulse compression of the laser output to produce a higher-power, higher-intensity laser pulse at the target. Such pulse compression involves counter-propagating laser pump and seed beams. A short-pulse seed beam is amplified as energy is extracted from a long-pulse pump beam. Because such energy extraction is invariably incomplete, a fraction of the pump energy will exit the compression cell in the same direction as the optics used to create the seed beam. The invention involves a gas consisting of a noble gas such as neon or argon which may be excited by an electron beam to enhance absorption. By proper choice of gas, cell length, electron-beam excitation, and time delay, the residual pump beam may be absorbed almost entirely with less than 0.01% transmitted laser energy through the invention.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for blocking a high-energy laser while allowing a lower-energy laser to pass through a central region, comprising

a central region containing one or more gases;
a seed laser source that emits a seed laser beam into the central region;
a first mechanical shutter that is located between the seed laser source and the central region;
a pump laser source that emits a pump laser beam into the central region in an opposite direction from a propagation direction of the seed laser source after the central region receives the seed laser source;
a second mechanical shutter located between the pump laser source and the central region;
and
a mechanical pump to move the one or more gases through the central region, transversely to the direction of the propagation of the seed laser source and the pump laser source, and to remove the energy deposited in the central region,
wherein the one or more gases within the central region absorbs energy from the pump laser.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Absorbing Optical Switch for High Fluence Laser Pulse

Life of this patent

Absorbing Optical Switch for High Fluence Laser Pulse

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20