Experimental Testing of Targets for a High Accuracy Microtarget Supply (HAMS) System on the Gemini Laser System

Abstract

It is widely understood within the high-power laser community that recent developments in diode pumped and high repetition rate laser systems will give unprecedented access to laser shots. This will provide a challenge for target fabrication in making enough experimental samples. While in the past access to facilities and shot rates during access periods have been the limiting factor for high power laser experiments this will soon not be the case. There has already been a shift in development of the user base from fundamental science experiments to industrial applications using the laser experiment as a reliable source for secondary aims. The Astra Gemini laser system has been operating at a high repetition rate for high intensity (0.5PW) experiments for a number of years and the Central Laser Facility has developed a target methodology to deliver to the user community the maximum number of solid targets and to fully utilise the available time on the laser. Targets for the High Accuracy Microtarget Supply (HAMS) system have been tested and have been proven to survive in a manner to allow shot rates comparable with the available laser repetition rate (0.1Hz). Investigations into target geometry have been carried out and debris production has been studied by high frame rate camera imaging. The study of the relationship between target geometry and debris production has allowed the design of optimal target support infrastructure, such as aperture size and structure, for high rep rate experiments on the Gemini system.