We are in the process of developing and building a laser system as the first in a series of a new generation of diode-pumped solid-state Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) lasers at LLNL (see Fig. 1 below). This laser system named �Mercury� will be the first integrated demonstration of a scalable laser architecture compatible with advanced high energy density (HED) physics applications. Primary performance goals include 10% efficiencies at 10 Hz and a 1- 10 ns pulse with lo energies of 100 J and with 2(omega)J/3(omega) frequency conversion.

Leading charm hadrons produced in hadron-nucleus interactions cannot be adequately described within the parton fusion model. Recent results on charm baryon production in Sigma{sup -} A interactions at 330 GeV with the WA89 detector disagree with fusion predictions. Intrinsic heavy quark pairs in the Sigma{sup -}(dds) wave function provide a simple mechanism for producing fast charm hadrons. We calculate leading charm baryon production from Sigma{sup -}, pi{sup -} and p projectiles in a two component model combining partonfusion with intrinsic charm. Final state D{sup -}, Sigma{sub c}{sup 0}, Xi{sub c}{sup +}, and Lambda{sub c}{sup +} d sigma/dx{sub F} distributions and D{sup -}/D{sup +}, D{sub s}{sup -}/D{sub s}{sup +} and Lambda{sub c}{sup +}/overline Lambda{sub c}{sup +} asymmetries are compared to WA89 data. Predictions are made for 650 GeV Sigma{sup -} A and pi{sup -} A interactions in the SELEX detector at Fermilab and for 800 GeV pA interactions.

Accurate predictions of the performance of frequency conversion requires knowledge of the spatial variation of departures from the phase-matching condition in the converter crystals. This variation is caused by processes such as crystal growth and crystal surface finishing. Gravitational sag and mounting configurations also lead to deformation and stresses which cause spatially varying departures from the phase-matching condition. We have modeled the effect of gravitational forces on conversion efficiency performance of horizontal converter crystals and have shown for the NIF mounting configurations that gravity has very little effect on conversion efficiency. Keywords: Frequency conversion, ICF, Nonlinear optics, KDP crystals

Simple methods for the cooling of the second crystals of cryogenically cooled undulator and wiggler double crystal monochromators are described. Copper braids between the first and second crystals are used to cool the second crystals of the double crystal monochromators. The method has proved successful for an undulator monochromator and we describe a design for a wiggler monochromator.