Measuring the detuning angle distribution within the full aperture of a large-aperture potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystal is of great engineering importance for improving its frequency conversion efficiency. To improve the measurement speed of the crystal detuning angle, we propose a measurement method based on a flattened Gaussian beam with a large divergence angle. Theoretical simulation shows that the detuning angle of the KDP crystal is linearly related to the vertical position of the maximum light intensity of the second-harmonic laser when using this method. Experimental results confirm our theoretical analysis and show a relative measurement error of 1.32%, which meet the requirements of engineering applications. This measurement method saves 96% of the measurement time of the detuning angle of a single point within the aperture of the KDP crystal, enabling us to measure more points in a limited time, thus improving the measurement accuracy of the detuning angles over the full aperture of the KDP crystals.
A frequency converter is usually used in high-power laser facilities to triple the frequency of the incident laser. It consists of a KDP crystal and a KD*P crystal in series. The measurement of the detuning angles of the frequency converter is essential for improving the frequency conversion efficiency. In this paper, we propose a measurement method that uses a diverging beam to illuminate the frequency converter and get the detuning angles by analyzing the light intensity distribution of the third harmonic laser. The simulated results show that there is a strict linear relationship between the characteristic parameters and the detuning angles of frequency converter, verifying the feasibility of this method. Compared with existing measurement methods, its optical path is simple, and the single measurement time can be shortened to a few minutes from a few hours.
Polarization smoothing is a means to increase the uniformity of the focal spot by using polarization characteristics of light. It can theoretically reduce the contrast of focal spot to 0.707 times, and because of its real-time modulation characteristics, it can significantly suppress backscattering and improve the beam-target coupling performance of high-power laser facilities. However, in the traditional polarization smoothing scheme, the crystal used for polarization smoothing (largeaperture KDP crystal) will produce transverse stimulated Raman scattering in the high-power ultraviolet band, which will cause crystal damage. To prepare for the exploration of new single beamlet polarization smoothing schemes, we conduct a simulation study on the scheme of modulating the full Poincaré beam with a single transmission element. The results show that a single waveplate with a fast axis that rotates with polar angle and a phase retardation that increases with radius can modulate a full Poincaré beam, and we analyze the properties of this full Poincaré beam. Then combined with the engineering parameters, we analyzed the polarization smoothing performance of the full Poincaré beam with square aperture laser input. The performance was quantified by several target focal spot intensity evaluation indexes, and the results show that the use of the full Poincaré beam for polarization smoothing can reduce the contrast of the focal spot effectively, and the reduction range is close to the theoretical maximum value. And there are advantages in suppressing high energy density hot spots and optimizing the spatial frequency of the focal spot.
Aiming at the requirement of illumination uniformity and backscattering suppression in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) facilities, we propose a polarization smoothing (PS) scheme based on stress-engineered optical element that can modulate linearly polarized light into a full Poincaré beam. The unique law of modulation of the polarization state by glass window under symmetrical loads is revealed by numerical simulations, the results indicate that the glass window exhibits a fast axis orientation that rotates with the polar angle and a phase retardance that increases with the radius under more than two symmetrical pressure loads. Further optical calculations show that when the pressure of the loads and the thickness of the glass are sufficient, the window can modulate the linearly polarized light into a full Poincarébeam.
In the amplifier of the large-aperture laser facility, the laser slab will have a depolarization effect in part areas due to the mounting stress and thermal stress. The depolarization effect will degrade the polarization state of the laser so that it cannot meet the design requirements, thereby affecting the efficiency of the whole facility. At the same time, depolarization will also cause low isolation in the facility and cause unpredictable damage to the optics. Aiming at the problem of depolarization, this article proposes a method to adjust the stress distribution of the laser slab by mounting load, and then adjust the polarization state of the slab, so that the stress distribution of the glass is uniform, and the position of the glass depolarization is controlled as far from the four corners as possible and minimize the influence of depolarization effect on the laser.
Large aperture frequency converters are important components of the high-power laser system. It is often composed of a cascaded KDP (Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate) crystal and dKDP (potassium deuterium phosphate) crystal system. The effect of the stress distribution of KDP crystal on the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency has been studied. It is found that the phase mismatch has a linear relationship with unidirectional stress. The result of the case study shows that the stress-induced phase mismatch in the SHG process is needed to be paid more attention to in engineering.
Aiming to minimize the surface distortion of large-aperture laser transport mirrors in high-power laser facilities, an assembly design and mounting method are proposed for the mirror. First, a theoretical model on the mirror surface deformation is established. With a new assembly design, the mirror is fastened on its neutral plane and its optical surface distortion can be precisely compensated through several adjustable forces on the sides, which will generate bending moments on the mirror body. Furthermore, a dynamic kinematic joint is designed, in which a corresponding relationship between spring compression and screw rotation ensures the accurate control of the magnitude of mirror preload. Finally, the performance of the presented method has been validated through field experiments and numerical simulations. This transport mirror assembly and mounting design have obvious technical advantages on simple mechanical structure, high operational efficiency, and precise preload control. The results show that the assembly design and optimized mounting strategy can keep the total surface distortion of the mirror within 350 nm (peak-valley).
Due to the unique mechanical and optical characteristics, it is difficult to carry out experimental research and online measurement for large-aperture ICF frequency converters. To analyze and optimize the performance of the frequency converters under complex process loads, we present an integrated optomechanical method that correlates actual process loads with laser critical characteristics. Based on the established optomechanical model, the key factor that induces the loss of harmonic generation efficiency is identified. In addition, the proposed method is conductive to rapid evaluation, prediction, and optimization of comprehensive performance of frequency converters. Thereby, we propose an adaptive frequency conversion system (AFCS). The results indicate that AFCS can not only minimize the phase mismatching of second harmonic generation doubler but also significantly improve the quality of far-field focal spot.
Large aperture KDP crystals are mainly used in the final optic assembly of inertial confinement fusion facility to change the frequency of laser light incident into them. For the optimization of the surface of large aperture KDP crystals, this paper proposes an assembly scheme based on point support and calculates the surface state of KDP crystal under different installation postures and different preload force distributions and magnitudes by numerical simulation. The results show that the assembly scheme can effectively reduce the surface distortion of KDP crystal after assembly. For example, in the horizontal state, the surface PV value of the KDP crystal can be controlled below 5um and the frequency conversion efficiency can reach 83.7% after assembly.
In huge-scale high peak power laser facility, the frequency conversion unit is responsible for the conversion of fundamental infrared wave at 1053nm into ultraviolet wave at 351nm. In this paper, the mechanism of service performance degradation of frequency doubling crystal is revealed by combining field experiments and numerical simulations. Moreover, we propose a flexure support method that can effectively reduce crystal surface distortion. Further, an experiment platform for offline mounting of frequency conversion crystal is built, and the mechanical and optical characteristics are verified by the experimental results. Finally, online verification is carried out in China’s high peak power laser facility. The results show that the proposed mounting method can significantly modify the crystal surface figure, improve its online performance and increase the highest efficient output power of high peak power laser facility.
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