The University of Rochester is now operating a National Users Laser Facility. Last October the first stage of the 30‐terawatt Omega system, which uses neodymium glass, began experiments. This stage, known as Zeta, has six beams and delivers 3–4 TW peak power. In December the second stage, with 24 beams and 12–16 TW peak power, is expected to operate. Construction has been supported by DOE. The last stage, still not funded, is planned to reach 30–40 TW peak power (energy of 10 kJ) by the addition of 24 active‐mirror booster systems. The pulse shape can be tailored, with the total pulse length between 0.05 and 1 nanosec.

Topics
Laser fusion, Universities, United States Department of Energy, Funding
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© 1979 American Institute of Physics.
1979
American Institute of Physics
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