PALS

PALS
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Building

PALS ASTERIX IV

Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP),
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR)
contact:
P.O.Box 17
Za Slovankou 3
182 21 Prague 8
phone: (++420)-(2)-6605 2052, 6605 1111
fax: (++420)-(2)-858 6389
E-mail
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Specifications:

1.2 kJ, 100-500 ps, 3 TW, 0.00083 Hz

100 J (two smaller beams)

1.315 µm Iodine laser

Power limited by damage threshold of antireflective coatings of polarizers in Faraday rotator and self-focusing in the glass windows of the amplifiers

PALS was formerly called ASTERIX IV and was located at Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ) in Garching, Germany. It moved to Czechoslovakia and was renamed PALS (Prague Asterix Laser System).
Schematic
Detailed Schematic
Generation of a double pulse pattern in the main beam by seeding the final amplifier A5 with two pulses of different intensities from Double Pulse Generator
Diagram of target chamber (from target facilities)
Schematic of amplifier gas flow (Ar + C₃F₇I which is photoionized)
Schematic of 30 kV Xe flashlamps, 10 µs, 250-300 nm UV
Oscillator and pulse selection system, with Pockels cells in center (see theory)
First vacuum spatial filter, beam expands from 8 to 22 mm. (see theory)
Output end of first power amplifier (double passed) (see theory)
Second spatial filter, 22 to 45 mm expansion. Relay mirror on left sends beam toward next amplifier.
Output end of second amplifier, 2.7 m. White tubes leading to the room below re-supply the laser medium after each shot.
Third spatial filter, 45 to 90 mm expansion
Output end of third amplifier, 3.24 m
Faraday rotator, between third and fourth amplifier. Box-like object on left is polarizer mount; coil generating the longitudinal magnetic field is downstream on right
Forth spatial filter, 90 to 148 mm expansion
Input end of fourth amplifier, 6.48 m. Black cables carry high voltage from capacitor banks (underneath) to six flashlamp sections. (see also)
Fifth spatial filter, 148 to 290 mm expansion
Fifth amplifier, 8.64 m. It is composed of eight sections each more than one meter long. The inner quartz tube contains Ar + C₃F₇I gas pressurized to three atmospheres (see also Dr. Josef Krása of the IPP).
Generation of a double pulse pattern in the main beam by seeding the final amplifier A5 with two pulses of different intensities from Double Pulse Generator
MPQ photo before the move
laser support rails (I-beams) (Prague)
basement for capacitor banks (Prague)

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