Beam-line parameter image processing optimization and maintenance for beam alignment in the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. S. Awwal; Richard Leach; Roger Lowe-Webb; Vicki Miller Kamm

doi:10.1117/12.2657715

14 March 2023 Beam-line parameter image processing optimization and maintenance for beam alignment in the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. S. Awwal, Richard Leach, Roger Lowe-Webb, Vicki Miller Kamm

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12401, High Power Lasers for Fusion Research VII; 1240107 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2657715
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) employs 192 laser beams to achieve inertial confinement fusion by irradiating a mm scale fusion target. Automatic alignment (AA) image processing algorithms are used to align 192 beams to the NIF target chamber center. Cameras placed along the beam path supply the images that are analyzed by AA algorithms to provide beam location and alignment information. NIF has the capability of using beam-specific database parameters. This allows beam line images to be processed using optimized algorithms tailored to individual beam alignment needs. For a given segment of alignment in the NIF beam path, 192 different versions of the algorithm can be run simply by changing data base parameters. This capability is vital to alignment precision in a system as complex and mature as NIF. Since optical components and devices age, laser parameters and beam alignment quality can and do change. Constant beam-by-beam monitoring of alignment performance is needed in order to mitigate any issues caused by such changes. The objective of this work is to evaluate how periodic AA algorithm beam parameter changes might better maintain alignment requirements over time in the NIF facility. We show examples from final optics assembly (FOA) and harmonic generator (THG, SHG) loops.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Abdul A. S. Awwal, Richard Leach, Roger Lowe-Webb, and Vicki Miller Kamm "Beam-line parameter image processing optimization and maintenance for beam alignment in the National Ignition Facility", Proc. SPIE 12401, High Power Lasers for Fusion Research VII, 1240107 (14 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2657715

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available