1993

Laser Construction Begins
In 1993, building modifications were completed and laser construction began. The OMEGA upgrade laser was designed to be a 60-beam ultraviolet laser with an energy-on-target capability of 30 kJ, and an eventual irradiation uniformity of 1% to 2% rms (root mean square). To maximize its experimental utility, the system was designed for at least one shot per hour. Approximately $61 million—about $2000 per UV joule—was budgeted for the laser construction.

Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research
In recognition of the roles played by their respective teams in the innovation of laser-beam–smoothing techniques for inertial confinement fusion, the American Physical Society awarded the 1993 Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research to researchers from Osaka University in Japan, the US Naval Research Laboratory, and Stanley Skupsky and John M. Soures from LLE.

Inferring Camera with 40-ps Time Resolution

Framing-camera image showing implosion of glass microballoon with intentionally applied drive nonuniformities in the , ℓ = 1 and , ℓ = 3 modes.