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KrF Laser Development for Fusion Energy

Matthew F. WOLFORD, John D. SETHIAN, Matthew C. MYERS, Frank HEGELER¹⁾, John L. GIULIANI and Stephen P. OBENSCHAIN

Plasma Physics Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave., SW Washington DC 20375, USA

1)

Commonwealth Technology, Inc. Alexandria, Virginia 22315, USA

(Received 21 May 2012 / Accepted 6 August 2012 / Published 22 May 2013)

Abstract

The United States Naval Research Laboratory is developing an electron beam pumped krypton fluoride laser technology for a direct drive inertial fusion energy power plant. The repetitively pulsed krypton fluoride laser technology being developed meets the fusion energy requirements for laser beam quality, wavelength, and repetition rate. The krypton fluoride laser technology is projected, based on experiments, to meet the requirements for wall plug efficiency and durability. The projected wall plug efficiency based on experiments is greater than 7 percent. The Electra laser using laser triggered gas switches has conducted continuous operation for 90,000 shots at 2.5 Hertz operation (ten hours). The Electra laser has achieved greater than 700 Joules per pulse at 1 and 2.5 Hertz repetition rate. The comparison of krypton fluoride laser performance with krypton fluoride kinetics code shows good agreement for pulse shape and laser yield. Development and operation of a durable pulse power system with solid state switches has achieved a continuous run of 11 million pulses into a resistive load at 10 Hz.

Copyright (c) 2013 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research

Keywords

KrF laser, inertial fusion energy, electron beam, pulsed power, repetitively pulsed

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.8.3404044

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This paper may be cited as follows:

Matthew F. WOLFORD, John D. SETHIAN, Matthew C. MYERS, Frank HEGELER, John L. GIULIANI and Stephen P. OBENSCHAIN, Plasma Fusion Res. 8, 3404044 (2013).