Numéro |
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 133, June 2006
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Page(s) | 555 - 559 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:2006133114 | |
Publié en ligne | 16 juin 2006 |
J.-C. Gauthier, et al.
J. Phys. IV France 133 (2006) 555-559
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:2006133114
Vulcan petawatt-operation and development
C. Hernandez-Gomez, P.A. Brummitt, D.J. Canny, R.J. Clarke, J. Collier, C.N. Danson, A.M. Dunne, B. Fell, A.J. Frackiewicz, S. Hancock, S. Hawkes, R. Heathcote, P. Holligan, M.H.R. Hutchinson, A. Kidd, W.J. Lester, I.O. Musgrave, D. Neely, D.R. Neville, P.A. Norreys, D.A. Pepler, C.J. Reason, W. Shaikh, T.B. Winstone and B.E. WybornCentral Laser Facility, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, UK
Abstract
Petawatt capability on the Vulcan laser facility has been
available to the international plasma physics community for over two years.
This has enabled novel experiments to be carried out and new regimes of
physics to be explored. During that time, there have been 10 successful user
experiments with 89% of shots delivered within the requested energy
limits. In the autumn of 2004, pulses with powers of more than a petawatt
(1015 Watts) were delivered to target with energies greater than 400 J
and pulse widths shorter than 500 femtoseconds (10 - 15) on target. In
parallel to the development of ultra-high intensity pulses is a programme to
enhance Vulcan's long pulse capabilities. This paper will present an
overview of the current capabilities of the Vulcan Petawatt facility and
discuss some of the recent technological advances that have enabled the
generation of Petawatt pulses.
© EDP Sciences 2006