A target inserter for the Vulcan Petawatt Laser interaction chamber

Robert Heathcote; Robert J. Clarke

doi:10.1117/12.2237741

19 September 2016 A target inserter for the Vulcan Petawatt Laser interaction chamber

Robert Heathcote, Robert J. Clarke

Proceedings Volume 9966, Target Diagnostics Physics and Engineering for Inertial Confinement Fusion V; 996608 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237741
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The ability to maximise the shot rate of large scale laser facilities is dependent on the turnaround time of the laser, diagnostics and targetry. In a move to improve the last of these, a combined target mount and carousel are being implemented on the Vulcan Petawatt facility. The Vulcan Petawatt interaction chamber currently operates with either a single target or with a target wheel; which has limited positions and varying degrees of subsequent target survivability. Whenever the target holder needs to be changed the chamber vacuum has to be cycled, delaying shots by up to an hour. The new carousel design is capable of holding 30 target assemblies at a safe distance from the interaction point, with each target capable of being dialed in to position on demand. This allows for a whole day’s worth of shots with the flexibility to choose any target or reference object without having to break vacuum. Here we present the design, characterisation and implementation of this new target inserter.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Robert Heathcote and Robert J. Clarke "A target inserter for the Vulcan Petawatt Laser interaction chamber", Proc. SPIE 9966, Target Diagnostics Physics and Engineering for Inertial Confinement Fusion V, 996608 (19 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237741

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