The 6th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2023)

78 / 2023-04-13 09:09:13

High Power Nanosecond Laser for Dynamic Shock Compression

Pulse shaped,Nanosecond laser,High pressure physics,Dynamic Shock Compression

High Pressure Physics and Materials Science > Dynamic behavior of materials under compression-poster

Dynamic Compression allows scientists to experimentally simulate the high pressure and high temperature conditions existing at the core of exoplanets, in order to elucidate the structure, composition, history and dynamics of new materials naturally unavailable on Earth.



Traditional methods dedicated to Dynamic Shock Compression include static compression, (e.g., diamond anvil cells) and explosives and light-gas guns. However this methods are either limited in achievable pressure or they produce too high temperatures.



High-power lasers allow for the first time for the reliable and exact energy deposition at a high compression without inducing excessive heating. High power lasers are being established as state-of-the-art tools to push the frontiers of high-pressure research giving rise to Laser Driven Dynamic Compression approach.



Specific requirements are demanded to this kind of laser: high-energy, first-class beam quality, versatile pulse shaping capability and high repetition rate.



It is in this context that Amplitude has developed, manufactured, and delivered (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Los Alamos National laboratory) the Premiumlite-Glass laser for Laser Driven Dynamic Shock Compression.



We will present in this paper this laser capable of delivering up to 200J at 0.1Hz at 1053nm. The laser uses an innovative amplifier technology based on an active mirror disk amplifier module. Disk amplifiers modules are flashlamp-pumped in order to offer a cost-effective solution. Thanks to a specific front-end, the pulsewidth can vary from a few ns to 15ns with a high resolution (125 ps) programmable pulse shape. Peak power can reach up to 25GW with triangular, t2, t3 pulse shapes.



We will continue by presenting our perspective of scaling the above-mentioned technology to kJ-class laser with a repetition rate of 1 shot per minute and our other solutions based on rod technology capable of delivering up to 100J in a single pulse.