Maintaining laser safety during commissioning of the orion high intensity laser facility

The Orion high intensity laser facility for plasma physics research at AWE in the UK is nearing completion. The commissioning of the first two of its 12 beams, one long pulse (ns) & one short pulse (sub-ps), was completed in December 2010. Commissioning of the first 2 beam lines has continued concurrently with final installation of the other beams and this has required innovative laser safety solutions and rigorous work control.