OSE Seminars
10 PW Laser system: challenges and achievements
Presented by Dr. Olivier Chalus, Thales Optronique SAS, France
The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Project was first proposed in 2005. During
the preparation phase the white books for the 3 pillars were established. Financed
by the European union this 850 Millions Euros project is distributed over 3
countries: Czech Repulic, Hungaria and Romania. The ELI-NP (Nuclear Physic) part in
Romania requires a Laser able to deliver 2x100TW at 10Hz, 2x1PW at 1 Hz and 2x10PW
at 1shot per minute. This will make this laser the most powerful laser in the
world.
Thales was awarded the development and construction of this laser in July 2013. We
are now in the installation phase of this project. 100TW and 1PW outputs have
already been demonstrated on site and the 10PW line is under assembly. Such a laser
involves numerous breakthroughs in order to achieve these extreme parameters. The
solution taken is based on hybrid approach between OPCPA (Optical Parametric Chirp
Pulse Amplification) and Ti:Sapphire amplifier. Procurement of optics was a
challenge (meter size gratings, 200mm diameter Ti:Sapphire Crystals, ...) but the
technical challenges were also high. The pulse requires a excellent contrast, as
well as an excellent focusability. We will detail in this presentation the solution
we choose in order to build such a laser and the results we obtained.
1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Room 146, Center for High Tech Materials
Science and Technology Park - South Campus
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