Open AccessAccurate target-plane focal-spot characterization in high-energy laser systems using phase retrieval
Author(s) -
B. E. Kruschwitz,
Seung-Whan Bahk,
J. Bromage,
Michael D. Moore,
David Irwin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.020874
Subject(s) - optics , wavefront , cardinal point , laser , fluence , physics , phase retrieval , quantum mechanics , fourier transform
Target-plane intensities on the short-pulse beamlines of OMEGA EP, a petawatt-class laser, are characterized on-shot using the focal-spot diagnostic (FSD), an indirect wavefront-based measurement. Phase-retrieval methods are employed using on-shot and offline camera-based far-field measurements to improve the wavefront measurements and yield more-accurate, repeatable focal-spot predictions. Incorporation of these techniques has improved the mean cross-correlation between the FSD predictions and direct far-field fluence measurements in the target chamber from 0.78 to 0.94.