Fabrication of polarization-smoothing optics for direct drive inertial confinement fusion based on novel liquid crystal devices and surface-figured potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Nathaniel D. Urban; Kenneth L. Marshall; Amy Rigatti; John A. Marozas; Kyle R. P. Kafka; Gary L. Mitchell; Marcela Ramirez Mireles; Jason U. Wallace; Ji-Mi Jang; Stavros G. Demos

doi:10.1117/12.2651187

17 March 2023 Fabrication of polarization-smoothing optics for direct drive inertial confinement fusion based on novel liquid crystal devices and surface-figured potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Nathaniel D. Urban, Kenneth L. Marshall, Amy Rigatti, John A. Marozas, Kyle R. P. Kafka, Gary L. Mitchell, Marcela Ramirez Mireles, Jason U. Wallace, Ji-Mi Jang, Stavros G. Demos

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Proceedings Volume PC12401, High Power Lasers for Fusion Research VII; PC1240105 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651187
Event: SPIE LASE, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Polarization smoothing of the 3w beam is highly desirable for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. However, fabrication methods of large-aperture optics that provide “randomized” beam polarization on the target are limited in-part to the challenging nature of the optical materials with suitable birefringence values. We report on the development of two new polarization-smoothing optics by separate and distinctly different approaches. In the first approach, a nematic liquid crystal with a high laser-induced–damage threshold is aligned between two fused silica substrates, with one substrate possessing a freeform, contoured imprint. In the second approach, freeform surface imprinting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals is accomplished by fluid jet polishing.

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Nathaniel D. Urban, Kenneth L. Marshall, Amy Rigatti, John A. Marozas, Kyle R. P. Kafka, Gary L. Mitchell, Marcela Ramirez Mireles, Jason U. Wallace, Ji-Mi Jang, and Stavros G. Demos "Fabrication of polarization-smoothing optics for direct drive inertial confinement fusion based on novel liquid crystal devices and surface-figured potassium dihydrogen phosphate", Proc. SPIE PC12401, High Power Lasers for Fusion Research VII, PC1240105 (17 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2651187

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KEYWORDS

Potassium

LCDs

Polarization

Liquid crystals

Wave plates

Polishing

Silica

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