THE UPGRADE TO THE OMEGA-LASER SYSTEM

We report on fusion research at the University of Rochester's Laborato ry for Laser Energetics. We describe the configuration of the upgrade to the OMEGA laser system-a 30-kJ, 351-nm, 60-beam, Nd:glass, direct-d rive laser-fusion system. The system utilizes rod and disk amplifiers and frequency-tripling to produce intense UV. Target irradiation unifo rmity is controlled using phase conversion and smoothing by spectral d ispersion (SSD). Dual driver lines will feed the propagation of two co axial beams that have different pulse widths and occupy different port ions of the laser aperture. Operation of the laser will begin in Novem ber 1994, and the target area will be completed in March 1995.