Abstract
Crystals of KDP and DKDP with dimensions of 41 × 41 × 1 cm3 will be used as Pockels cell and harmonic conversion elements in the world's largest laser system, the National Ignition Facility (N1F). Determining the optical performance of these crystals under NIF-like conditions and understanding the connection between optical performance and internal defect structure has been a crucial part of the effort to build this facility. The crystals must exhibit a high degree of optical homogeneity, low anomalous birefringence, low absorption, uniform phase matching and high laser damage threshold at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd harmonies of Nd:YAG in order to meet the NIF goals for conversion efficiency, energy on target and beam focusability. Here we review the results of extensive spectroscopy, interferometry, polarimetry, X-ray topography, phase matching homogeneity and laser-induced damage measurements on full-scale and/or sub-scale crystals.
© 1999 Optical Society of America
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