Description
Multi-petawatt laser facilities present a challenging environment for precision motion systems. NSF OPAL is a proposed next-generation ultra-high-intensity laser facility featuring two, 25PW beams used to study topics at the frontiers of science. As part of the NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 (RI-1) design phase, a Rapid Target Deployment System (RTDS) has been developed to meet these challenges and deliver complex targets for laser–matter interaction experiments on a 5-minute shot cycle.
RTDS is designed to position a rotating array of 20 or more solid targets with five degrees of freedom and 1µm precision. To operate reliably within the target chamber, the system must be hardened against electromagnetic interference (EMI), protected from ablation-induced mechanical shock and target ejecta, and fully compatible with high-vacuum and low particulate environments.
Targets are fabricated on modular, 4-inch-diameter cassettes that enable bulk positioning of the target array, minimizing shot-to-shot alignment requirements. This modular target architecture also facilitates collaboration with other high-power laser facilities, with the long-term goal of establishing cross-compatible target delivery systems at similar institutes.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. (PHY-2329970).
Any opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
