Fusion enabling laser-induced damage reduction, management, and repair strategies at the National Ignition Facility

Abstract

The first demonstration of fusion in the laboratory required the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to leverage its novel approach to laser-induced damage; managing laser-induced damage rather than avoiding it. Accepting regular damage to the laser’s final optics allows the NIF to deliver about 300% higher energy on its targets. This mode of operation is made viable by a unique optics maintenance strategy and a variety of damage management and mitigation. We will review the prominent damage mitigation and management technologies which are classified in three categories: Damage Initiation Prevention, Damage Management, and Damage Repair. Examples of these technologies are the Fused Silica Debris Shield, AI driven damage detection, and the CO2 mitigation cone, respectively. We introduce a simple empirical model which both quantifies individual and combined impacts of the technologies on NIF’s optics usage.