Laser performance upgrade for precise ICF experiment in SG-Ⅲ laser facility

The SG-Ⅲlaser facility(SG-Ⅲ)is the largest laser driver for inertial confinement fusion(ICF)researches in China,which has 48 beamlines and can deliver 180 kJ ultraviolet laser energy in 3 ns.In order to meet the requirements of precise physics experiments,some new functionalities need to be added to SG-Ⅲand some intrinsic laser performances need upgrade.So at the end of SG-Ⅲ's engineering construction,the 2-year laser performance upgrade project started.This paper will introduce the newly added functionalities and the latest laser performance of SG-Ⅲ.With these function extensions and performance upgrade,SG-Ⅲis now fully prepared for precise ICF experiments and solidly paves the way towards fusion ignition.

Recent diagnostic developments at the 100 kJ-level laser facility in China

A 100 kJ-level laser facility has been designed to study inertial confinement fusion physics in China.This facility incorporates various diagnostic techniques,including optical,x-ray imaging,x-ray spectrum,and fusion product diagnostics,as well as general diagnostics assistance systems and central control and data acquisition systems.This paper describes recent developments in diagnostics at the facility.

Electromagnetic Pulses Generated From Laser Target Interactions at Shenguang Ⅱ Laser Facility

Significant electromagnetic pulses （EMP） can be generated by the intensive laser irradiating solid targets in inertial confinement fusion （ICF）. To evaluate the EMP intensity and distribution in and outside the laser chamber, we designed and fabricated a discone antenna with ultra-wide bands of over 10 GHz. The return loss （Sn parameter） of this antenna was below -10 dB and could even achieve under -30 dB at 3.1 GHz. The EMP intensity in this study at 80 cm and 40 cm away from the target chamber center （TCC） reached 400 kV/m and 2000 kV/m. The current results are expected to offer preliminary information to study physics regarding laser plasma interactions and will also lay experimental foundation for EMI shielding design to protect various diagnostics.

Ramp-Wave Compression Experiment with Direct Laser Illumination on ShenGuang-Ⅲ Prototype Laser Facility

Ramp-wave compression experiment to balance the high compression pressure generation in aluminum and x-ray blanking effect in transparent window is demonstrated with an imaging velocity interferometer system for any reflector （VISAR） on ShenGuang-Ⅲprototype laser facility. The highest pressure is about 500 GPa after using the multilayer target design Al/Au/Al/LiF and -10^13 W//cm2 laser pulse illuminated on the planar Al target, which generates the spatial uniformity to 〈1% over 500 μm on the ablation layer. A 2-μm-thick Au layer is used to prevent the x-ray from preheating the planar ablation Al layer and window material LiF. The imaging VISAR system can be used to record the abrupt loss of the probe beam （λ= 532 nm） caused by absorption and reflection of 20-μm, 30-μm and 40-μm-thick Al, i.e., the blanking effect. Although there are slight shocks in the target, the peak pressure 500 GPa, which is the highest data up to now, is obtained with ramp-wave compression.

Effective electromagnetic shielding with multi-layer structure material on Shenguang laser facility

Electromagnetic pulses(EMPs)with high intensity and frequency bandwidth can be generated during the intensive laser irradiating solid targets in inertial confinement fusion(ICF).To shield the EMPs radiation and hence protect various diagnostics in and outside the target chamber,we designed a multi-layer structure material to shield the EMFs and demonstrate experimentally and numerically shielding performance of the material structure.The thickness of the multi-layer structure material has a great influence on the EMPs shielding.It is shown that,with the increase of the material thickness,the better shielding performance is obtained,and the material structure with polytetrafluoroethyIene of 0.5 mm,copper of 0.4 mm and lead of 2.4 mm reduces 448 times compared the maximum value of EMPs voltage to that without shielded.The design of multilayer structure material for EMPs shielding provides a promising way to reduce EMPs radiation,which is extremely useful for the diagnostics protection and signal processing in ICF.

Demonstration of a Shock-Timing Experiment in a CH Layer at the Shen Guang Ⅲ Laser Facility

Shock-timing experiments are indispensable to inertial confinement fusion mainly because the timing of multiple shock waves is crucial to understanding the processes of laser irradiation of targets. Investigations into shock waves driven by a two-step radiation pulse in polystyrene（CH） capsule targets are experimentally conducted at the Shen Guang Ⅱ laser facility. Differing from the traditional shock-timing implementation in which one shock wave could catch up with another one in solid CH, in this experiment, the second shock front in a rarefaction CH layer is observed through velocity interferometry. This second shock could also be made to converge with rarefaction waves within only a few micrometers of the CH capsule by designing the two-shock coalescence time. A shock-timing diagnostic technique to tune the multi-shock convergence in the CH capsule can thereby be achieved.The experimental results in the CH layer are quasi-quantitatively interpreted using streamlines simulated with the Multi-1 D program. The experimental results are expected to offer important information for target structure and laser pulse design, both of which are important for realizing inertial confinement fusion.

New Laser Facility SG-Ⅱ Established

A novel laser facility, named SG-Ⅱ (Shenguang, or Divine Light), has recently passed the appraisal of a panel of experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China Academy of Engineering Physics, and State High-tech Development Program (National 863 Program). ……

Theoretical analysis of frequency modulation-to-amplitude modulation on the final optics and target of the SG Ⅱ-Up laser facility

Frequency modulation(FM)-to-amplitude modulation(AM) conversion is an important factor that affects the time±power curve of inertial confinement fusion(ICF) high-power laser facilities. This conversion can impact uniform compression and increase the risk of damage to optics. However, the dispersive grating used in the smoothing by spectral dispersion technology will introduce a temporal delay and can spatially smooth the target. The combined effect of the dispersive grating and the focusing lens is equivalent to a Gaussian low-pass filter, which is equivalent to 8 GHz bandwidth and can reduce the intensity modulation on the target to below 5% with 0.3 nm @ 3 GHz + 20 GHz spectrum phase modulation. The results play an important role in the testing and evaluating of the FM-to-AM on the final optics and the target, which is beneficial for comprehensively evaluating the load capacity of the facility and isentropic compression experiment for ICF.

An accurate and stable method of array element tiling for high-power laser facilities

Due to laser-induced damage, the aperture of optics is one of the main factors limiting the output capability of highpower laser facilities. Because of the general difficulty in achieving large-aperture optics, an alternative solution is to tile some small-aperture ones together. We propose an accurate, stable, and automatic method of array element tiling and verify it on a double-pass 1 × 2 tiled-grating compressor in the XG-III laser facility. The test results show the accuracy and stability of the method. This research provides an efficient way to obtain large-aperture optics for high-power laser facilities.

多路激光集束的焦斑测试技术

为了实现多路激光集束焦斑测量,给出其时间和空间分辨的特性,搭建了基于成像系统、光电管结合示波器、条纹相机和科学CCD等主要部件组成的焦斑光学测试平台。实验之前,对科学CCD的灵敏度和动态范围及条纹相机增益系数、狭缝宽度、扫描时间等性能参数进行离线测试标定。采用CCD测试多路激光时间积分的集束焦斑空间分布;采用光电管结合示波器及条纹相机对多路激光到达靶点的时间同步进行测试;开展高质量集束焦斑的时间分辨特性测试,获得了光谱色散匀滑光束焦斑精细的时空演化图像。多路激光集束焦斑形态及多路光束时间同步测试为提升高功率激光装置焦斑测试技术和方法提供了支撑。

C波段高梯度加速结构样机研制

本文介绍了C波段高梯度加速结构研制的内容,通过采用低群速度、4π/5工作模式、等梯度结构、拱形腔和大束流孔径设计方法、创造性的内水冷可调谐腔体结构、悬挂式焊接方法等技术,实现了国内第一支C波段高梯度加速结构段的工程应用,在束流试验中获得了50.8 MV/m的世界最高C波段带束加速梯度。

中国光子大科学装置的发展

光子大科学装置主要分为同步辐射光源和自由电子激光装置两大类,可以产生光子能量范围从红外到硬X射线的高通量、高亮度、光子能量连续可调的光,在过去半个多世纪里已经发展成为服务于物理学、化学、材料科学、生命科学、能源、环境科学等众多学科的综合性科研中心。光子大科学装置在我国经过了40多年的发展,已经建立起较完整的体系,达到世界先进水平。文章通过对已有的和建设中的装置的描述分别介绍同步辐射光源和自由电子激光在国内的发展历程和现状,并对未来发展趋势进行展望。

Radiation Temperature Scaling Law for Gold Hohlraum Heated with Lasers at 0.35 mm Wavelength

We have carried out the hohlraum experiments about radiation temperature scaling on the Shenguang-Ⅱ （SG- Ⅱ） laser facility with eight laser beams of 0.35#m, pulse duration of about 1.0ns and total energy of 2000J. The reradiated x-ray flux through the laser entrance hole was measured using a soft x-ray spectrometer. The measured peak radiation temperature was 170eV for the standard hohlraum and 150 eV for the 1.5-scaled one. We have derived the radiation temperature scaling law, in which the laser hohlraum coupling efficiency is included. With an appropriate coupling efficiency, the coincidences between experimental and scaling hohlraum radiation temperatures are rather good.

Laser-direct-drive program: Promise, challenge, and path forward

Along with laser-indirect(X-ray)-drive and magnetic-drive target concepts,laser direct drive is a viable approach to achieving ignition and gain with inertial confinement fusion.In the United States,a national program has been established to demonstrate and understand the physics of laser direct drive.The program utilizes the Omega Laser Facility to conduct implosion and coupling physics at the nominally 30-kJ scale and lasereplasma interaction and coupling physics at the MJ scale at the National Ignition Facility.This article will discuss the motivation and challenges for laser direct drive and the broad-based program presently underway in the United States.

高功率固体激光装置负载问题研究进展

高功率固体激光装置的负载问题是制约装置建设与运行的瓶颈问题。在高通量紫外纳秒激光辐照下,熔石英后表面的损伤不断产生和增长,严重限制了装置的负载能力。在提升熔石英抗损伤性能的基础上修复既有损伤,循环使用光学元件,是现阶段提升装置负载能力的主要手段。主要介绍了国内外近年来在熔石英损伤的规律与机制、光学元件循环处理的支撑技术以及提升负载能力的新材料与新技术方面所取得的重要进展。

人类首次实现聚变“点火”,激光聚变取得历史性突破

2022年12月13日,美国能源部(DOE)及其下属的国家核安全管理局(NNSA)宣布,劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室(LLNL)利用其建立的国家“点火”装置(NIF),在人类历史上首次实现了聚变产能大于驱动聚变发生的激光能量这一“点火”里程碑,将为美国核武器物理规律和效应研究、核武器库存管理等提供重要支撑,为未来清洁能源的发展铺平新的道路,并为高能量密度物理研究提供新的手段和平台。本文专访了中国工程物理研究院激光聚变研究中心郑万国研究员,就发布会传递信息、惯性约束聚变(ICF)实现途径及存在难点、激光聚变“点火”历程、未来ICF和惯性聚变能(IFE)发展前景,以及激光晶体在ICF和IFE中重要作用等业界广泛关心的几个问题进行解读,以期为读者提供专业的信息,使大家进一步了解ICF发展趋势和IFE发展前景,并针对相关晶体材料开展基础研究及关键技术攻关,牵引和支撑未来激光聚变驱动装置建设。

大型激光装置脉冲波形调控技术

精密高效的脉冲波形调控是大型激光装置满足惯性约束聚变实验需求的重要技术之一。脉冲波形生成原理是通过编辑任意波形发生器中每个子脉冲的电压值,经电光调制器转换为光脉冲强度形成任意形状的激光脉冲轮廓。在电光转换过程中,各子束响应过程并非线性且子束间存在个性差异。为实现此条件下精密高效的脉冲波形调控,制定并开发了基于闭环迭代思路的激光脉冲波形快速调控方法。实验结果表明,算法可在10 min内实现任意脉冲波形整形,并具备23∶1高对比度脉冲波形调控能力,调控精度均优于10%(rms),满足常规物理实验运行条件下对激光参数调控的精度和效率需求。

大型光机装置隔振地基的地脉动响应分析方法

大型光机装置隔振地基上的地脉动响应对装置的稳定性有重要影响。为了准确、快速地获得大型光机装置隔振地基的地脉动响应,建立了地脉动响应分析的频域方法。首先采用人工边界层方法模拟无限地基边界的影响,建立了神光装置隔振地基结构的有限元模型,并根据试验结果确定模型中岩土的材料参数及模型基础位置的地脉动载荷输入。再在频域空间基于模态叠加法进行基础随机激励的功率谱密度(power spectral density, PSD)分析,获得装置隔振地基上加速度PSD响应。最后将地基上的加速度响应计算结果与试验结果进行比较,计算PSD曲线与试验结果吻合良好,且均方根计算结果与试验结果的最大差别小于5%。计算与试验结果吻合较好验证了本文方法的正确性,相关方法为类似大型精密电子/光学装置厂房结构的隔振地基地脉动响应计算提供了理论基础。

上海粒子加速器大科学装置概述

先进粒子加速器包括射频直线加速器和环形同步加速器等,不仅极大地加速了人类从核物理迈向基本粒子物理的进程,而且同时派生出了同步辐射光源、自由电子激光、质子/重离子治疗仪等一批涉及生命科学、材料科学、能源科学、物理学、化学和医学等重大前沿学科研究和应用的大科学装置。上海已经成为我国并且正在成为国际上先进加速器科学中心之一,本文概述性地介绍上海先后建成的第三代同步辐射光源、软X射线自由电子激光装置、先进质子治疗装置、以及正在建设的硬X射线自由电子激光,并对上海未来粒子加速器学科和大科学装置的发展方向做出总结和展望。

基于全装置蒙特卡罗模拟的超短超强激光装置光子剂量研究

为了准确评估激光装置靶室内、外的周围剂量当量分布情况,进一步验证剂量评估模型的合理性,利用蒙特卡罗程序FLUKA对激光靶室进行了全建模,基于现有电子源项理论模型以及XG-Ⅲ激光装置典型实验条件对靶室内外剂量情况进行了计算分析。为了更准确地测量光子周围剂量当量,需要对光子剂量测量组件进行设计,对不同能量区间电子对测量元件的总剂量贡献进行了模拟分析,在此基础上针对0~15 MeV区间电子的屏蔽进行了优化设计,最后对光子剂量测量组件的效果进行了模拟计算,并进行了设计优化。模拟结果表明靶室内、外电子周围剂量当量均高于光子剂量当量。激光靶室主观察窗内、外的电子与光子剂量水平相差约1个量级。相较于无屏蔽情况下,优化后的测量组件使电子剂量水平下降了99.7%,光子剂量水平仅衰减了30.9%,电子与光子的剂量比值约为0.12,总光子剂量中有5%是高能电子在PMMA中发生轫致辐射所贡献。模拟结果表明:经过对测量结果的合理修正,该组件可适用于强激光装置中靶室内的光子剂量测量。