[en] Nova's activities are directed toward the experimental demonstration of the feasibility of inertial confinement fusion. The principle experimental tool is the Nova laser facility which has been operational since 1985. During the past year, critical advances were made in laser science and in developing new technologies to improve Nova's routine performance to its original design level. The following pertinent topics are covered in this paper: (1) Nova operation and laser science; (2) amplifier development for the Nova laser; (3) Nova computer systems; (4) laser experiments and advanced diagnostics; and (5) Nova target fabrication. 401 refs., 243 figs., 27 tabs

[en] We discuss the dependence of many features of laser-plasma interaction physics on both the laser wavelength and plasma dimensions. Experimental results that are presented include absorption, stimulated Brillouin scattering, suprathermal electron production, and optical signatures of the two plasmon decay and stimulated Raman instabilities. While the experiments show beneficial effects of decreasing laser wavelength on the coupling physics, the mix and efficiency of the various interaction processes is shown to be strongly dependent on the size of the underdense plasma. 42 refs., 20 figs., 5 tabs

[en] Welcome to Laser Programs. I am pleased that you can share in the excitement of 25 years of history since we began as a small program of 125 people to our current status as a world premier laser and applied science research team of over 1700 members. It is fitting that this program, which was founded on the dream of developing inertial confinement fusion technology, should celebrate this anniversary the same year that the ground is broken for the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Also at the same time, we are feeling the excitement of moving forward the Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) technology toward private sector use and developing many alternate scientific applications and technologies derived from our core programs. It is through the hard work of many dedicated scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative team members that we have been able to accomplish the remarkable internationally recognized achievements highlighted here. I hope this brochure will help you enjoy the opportunity to share in the celebration and pride of our scientific accomplishments; state-of-the-art facilities; and diligent, dedicated people that together make our Laser Programs and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory the best in the world

[en] Experiments conducted in 1984 on the multi-terawatt, short-wavelength Novette laser were among the most productive ever completed by the LEAD Program. The authors made substantial progress in three areas of research: laser-plasma interaction, ablative compression, and soft x-ray laser studies. Experimental time on Novette was devoted about equally to inertial confinement fusion (ICF)-related research and to the demonstration of a laboratory x-ray laser

[en] These proceedings collect papers on intense laser-matter interactions. Topics include: laser-plasma interactions, laser-fusion compression, laser-driven plasma accelerators, physics of condensed matter, x-ray holography, XUV lasers, x-ray emission from laser plasmas, terawatt lasers, and behavior of metals under laser illumination

[en] Over the past several decades, significant and steady progress has been made in the development of fusion energy and its associated technology and in the understanding of the physics of high-temperature plasmas. While the demonstration of net fusion energy (fusion energy production exceeding that required to heat and confine the plasma) remains a task for the next millennia and while challenges remain, this progress has significantly increased confidence that the ultimate goal of societally acceptable (e.g. cost, safety, environmental considerations including waste disposal) central power production can be achieved. This progress has been shared by the two principal approaches to controlled thermonuclear fusion--magnetic confinement (MFE) and inertial confinement (ICF). ICF, the focus of this article, is complementary and symbiotic to MFE. As shown, ICF invokes spherical implosion of the fuel to achieve high density, pressures, and temperatures, inertially confining the plasma for times sufficient long (t ∼ 10^-10 sec) that ∼ 30% of the fuel undergoes thermonuclear fusion

[en] The present conference discusses topics in the physics of intense laser output-target matter interactions, such interactions' applications, laser-plasma X-ray sources, and ultrafast phenomena and their diagnostics. Attention is given to short-pulse laser interactions with solids, atomic photoionization in intense optical fields, results from high-temperature laser-fusion compression results, laser-driven plasma accelerators, shock multiplication in multilayered targets, and the physics of condensed matter at extreme conditions. Also discussed are space- and time-resolved diagnostics of soft X-ray emission from laser plasmas, a chirped-pulse amplification teraWatt laser, the interaction of high-power femtosec pulses with gases, and C-ray sources from picosec laser plasma excitation

[en] The mission of the National Ignition Facility is to achieve ignition and gain in inertial confinement fusion targets in the laboratory. The facility will be used for defense applications such as weapons physics and weapons effects testing, and for civilian applications such as fusion energy development and fundamental studies of matter at high temperatures and densities. This paper reviews the design, schedule, and costs associated with the construction project

[en] The effect of laser wavelength on laser-plasma coupling is one of the critical issues facing the laser driven inertial confinement community. The advantages of using lasers with output wavelength less than 1 μm, such as enhanced absorption and hydrodynamic efficiency, reduction in parametric instabilities and corresponding suprathermal electron generation, have long been predicted theoretically

[en] Experiments at all three wavelengths included the following: target absorption, stimulated Brillouin scattering, suprathermal electron production, observation of harmonic and half harmonic emission from the plasma as a signature of parametric processes such as 2ω_pe and simulated Raman scattering. These experiments are presented and compared with detailed hydro code and plasma simulation results