We report improvement of the polarization diagnostics and their use in the development of the Optically Pumped Polarized Ion Source (OPPIS).

An investigation into the preparation of sol-gel coatings for high power lasers was started at LLNL in 1983 and AR coatings were successfully developed for use in the Nova laser in 1984. Several other large lasers now use these coatings. Subsequent work on HR coatings resulted in AlOOH/SiO{sub 2} and later ZrO{sub 2} or HfO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} systems of good optical performance. The use of organic polymer binders gave increased damage threshold and enhanced optical performance. We are in the process of scaling up HR fabrication for substrates approximately 38 cm square. Concurrently we are developing sol-gel random phase plates for laser beam smoothing. These have a patterned surface design of silica which induces phase shifts in the beam by variation in the optical path length. Plates of this type on 80 cm diameter substrates have been used successfully on the Nova.

We report improvement of the polarization diagnostics and their use in the development of the Optically Pumped Polarized Ion Source (OPPIS).

Prior to 1988, a variety of materials were buried on the US DOE Oak Ridge Reservation. Records of the disposal operations are incomplete and toxic materials may have been placed adjacent to potential explosives. One of the safety concerns in conducting an environmental restoration project at the burial sites, is the possibility of an explosion which could release toxic materials to the atmosphere. A safety analysis examined the consequences of such releases by first postulating an upper bound for the strength of an explosive. A correlation, developed by Steindler and Seefeldt of Argonne National Laboratory, was then used to estimate the amount and particle-size distribution of the material that could become airborne from the explosion. The estimated amount of airborne material was the source term in an atmospheric dispersion model which was used to calculate infinite-time, concentration-time integrals and 5-minute, time- weighted average concentrations at locations down-wind from the explosion. The dispersion model includes particle deposition as a function of particle-size distribution class. The concentration-time integrals and average concentrations were compared to published guidelines to assess the consequences of an accidental explosion.

We have completed a fifteen year, referenced and documented compilation of more than 15,000 measurements of laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDT) conducted at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). These measurements cover the spectrum from 248 to 1064 nm with pulse durations ranging from < 1 ns to 65 ns and at pulse-repetition frequencies (PRF) from single shots to 6.3 kHz. We emphasize the changes in LIDTs during the past two years since we last summarized our database. We relate these results to earlier data concentrating on improvements in processing methods, materials, and conditioning techniques. In particular, we highlight the current status of anti-reflective (AR) coatings, high reflectors (HR), polarizers, and frequency-conversion crystals used primarily at 355 nm and 1064 nm.

In order to reach the high fluence goals of the Beamlet laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the polarizers in the system must be laser conditioned to increase their damage thresholds. Research has shown that by using a six-step raster-conditioning program, the damage thresholds of the HfO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayer polarizer coatings can be increased to meet the Beamlet 3-ns design goal of 8 J/cm{sub 2}. Because of the large size of the polarizers (73 cm {times} 37 cm {times} 9 cm), a large-area conditioning facility was constructed capable of rastering a one-meter optic, weighing as much as 400 pounds, at any specified use angle. A large translational stage moves the optic in a raster pattern through a stationary, 10-Hz rep-rated, 1064-nm beam with 10-ns pulses. A scatter measurement diagnostic allows on-the-fly evaluation of laser-induced damage and logs the coordinates of the damage. Laser energy is measured pulse-to-pulse in order to ensure stability during a scan. A small amount of minor coating damage does occur during the process, but the damage does not grow upon further irradiation. This damage causes only a small increase in total scatter compared to that due to the preexisting defects, and would not influence …

Laser induced damage to optical coatings is generally a localized phenomenon associated with coating defects. The most common of the defect types are the well-known nodule defect. This paper reviews the use of experiments and modeling to understand the formation of these defects and their interaction with laser light. Of particular interest are efforts to identify which defects are most susceptible to laser damage. Also discussed are possible methods for stabilizing these defects (laser conditioning) or preventing their initiation (source stabilization, spatter particle trapping).

We have recently completed a two-year study of recirculating induction heavy-ion accelerators (recirculators) as low-cost drivers for inertial-fusion-energy power plants. We present here a summary of that study and other recent work on recirculators.