The laser-damage performance of optics is known to be negatively affected by microscale particle contamination induced by the operational environment.This work investigates the properties of particles accumulating in ...The laser-damage performance of optics is known to be negatively affected by microscale particle contamination induced by the operational environment.This work investigates the properties of particles accumulating in various locations near critical optics inside the OMEGA EP grating compressor chamber during quarterly operational periods over a 2-year duration.The particles found were characterized using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.The analysis indicates significant concentrations of micrometer-to nanometerscale particles inside the vacuum chamber,with higher values observed near the port leading to the OMEGA EP target chamber.The distribution of the chemical composition of these particles varies between collection periods.Although understanding of the mechanisms of particle generation and transport remains uncertain,the hypothesis is that this particle load represents a risk for contaminating the surfaces of high-value optics located inside the chamber,including the compression gratings and deformable mirrors,and therefore affecting their laser-damage resistance and overall operational lifetime.展开更多
基金supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856the University of Rochester+1 种基金the New York State Energy Research and Development Authoritysponsored by an agency of the U.S
文摘The laser-damage performance of optics is known to be negatively affected by microscale particle contamination induced by the operational environment.This work investigates the properties of particles accumulating in various locations near critical optics inside the OMEGA EP grating compressor chamber during quarterly operational periods over a 2-year duration.The particles found were characterized using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.The analysis indicates significant concentrations of micrometer-to nanometerscale particles inside the vacuum chamber,with higher values observed near the port leading to the OMEGA EP target chamber.The distribution of the chemical composition of these particles varies between collection periods.Although understanding of the mechanisms of particle generation and transport remains uncertain,the hypothesis is that this particle load represents a risk for contaminating the surfaces of high-value optics located inside the chamber,including the compression gratings and deformable mirrors,and therefore affecting their laser-damage resistance and overall operational lifetime.
