Project ORION - Laser safety by design

Project ORION currently underway at AWE is building the largest laser system in the UK. This is a ΜΟΡΑ configuration Nd doped glass laser system for high energy density physics research. The laser comprises 10 beams of 30cm aperture delivering 5kJ in 1ns at 351 nm to target and 2 beams of 60cm aperture utilising CPA to deliver 1PW each at 1054nm in 0.5ps pulses. The Facility comprises several designated compartments in a building around 100m long and 60m wide. The major hazards are generated through firing the laser to target. A comprehensive set of engineering controls are designed to mitigate the risks from the laser target interaction, principally, high energy x-rays, activated material from energetic particles and EMP, and, from the high voltage capacitor banks that power the flash lamps. No personnel are allowed in designated areas during a shot firing and a comprehensive set of key and access controls driven from a logic controller are employed with management controls. There is also a significant laser beam hazard during set-up operations e.g. target alignment and laser oscillator/pre-amplifier tuning. Currently PPE is envisaged as a major protection in controlled laser areas manned only by suitably qualified and experienced staff but use of further engineering controls remain under investigation.