Quick Shot

LLE Deputy Director, Chris Deeney, sits on the Advanced Photon Source (APS) Beamline Review Committee for the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS), operated by Washington State University and located at Argonne National Laboratory. This sector was established by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as a pioneering facility to integrate the best of NNSA’s dynamic compression techniques with the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Synchrotron Light Sources.

A recent DCS review highlighted the progress in measurements to link atomic to continuum length scales in materials subjected to dynamic compression. This includes the development of a new capability that provides high-flux, narrowband x rays at 36 keV for diffraction—a first for dynamic compression science. Most relevant to LLE was the praise for the 100-J, 3ω laser with precision pulse shaping developed by Jon Zuegel and the Laser and Materials Technology Team. All the reviewers were impressed by the performance and resulting science.

Professor Yogi Gupta of Washington State University is the pioneer behind DCS and acts as the beamline director. He praised LLE during the review with comments such as: “The precision of the LLE laser system has been essential to successful dynamic compression experiments.” Prof. Gupta also added, “The next challenge is to develop detectors to make the best use of all our drivers and the enhanced capabilities of APS.”

Chris Deeney added, “When I was at NNSA, I supported the start of DCS so it was gratifying to see the great results and impactful publications resulting from the facility. Equally impressive and gratifying was seeing how the LLE Team delivered a laser system and target chamber well beyond the capabilities envisioned when DCS was first considered.”