The first comprehensive measurements of harmonic and subharmonic emission from spherical targets were conducted.
Shown here is Fig. 3 from S. Jackel, B. Perry, and M. Lubin, “Dynamics of Laser-Produced Plasmas Through Time-Resolved Observations of the 2ω0 and 3/2ω0 Harmonic Light Emissions,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 37 (2) 95–98 (1976).
LLE made the first detailed measurements of ablation and preheat using x-ray line emission.
Shown here is Fig. 2, from Barukh Yaakobi’s Physical Review Letters manuscript, B. Yaakobi, I. Pelah, and J. Hoose, “Preheat by Fast Electrons in Laser-Fusion Experiments,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 37 13836–839 (1976).
Congressman Frank J. Horton’s weekly column issued 25 March 1975 highlighted …one of the most exciting and significant energy research centers in the nation… The present LLE facility and graduate student fellowships are named in his honor in recognition of his important support. Additionally, his efforts are recognized with a plaque near the main LLE entrance.
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Special Laser-Fusion Advisory Panel issued its final report. The panel found that laser fusion was a promising approach to power generation that also offered a wide range of other applications and deserved broader support, including participation by industry, universities, and utilities.
Shown here is a diagram of laser fusion from a 1972 LLE brochure promoting the Laser Fusion Feasibility Project: the first joint industry-university-government project dedicated to developing inertial fusion energy
“Final Report of the Special Laser/Fusion Advisory Panel to Energy Research and Developing Administration,” United States Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, DC (31 January 1975).
On 11 July 1975, the New York State Legislature passed a supplemental appropriation that contained a $7.5 million interest-free loan to the University of Rochester to support the construction of a building to be used for the Laser Fusion Feasibility Project (LFFP). Construction began on the initial 24-beam OMEGA Facility as a National Laser Users Facility.
Shown left is 24-Beam OMEGA Groundbreaking
“Linear Stability Analysis of Laser-driven Spherical Implosions,” published in Physical Review Letters by J. N. Shiau, E. B. Goldman, and C. I. Weng of LLE, is one of the first studies on hydrodynamic instabilities in laser-driven fusion.
J. N. Shiau, E.B. Goldman, and C. I. Weng, “Linear Stability Analysis of Laser-driven Spherical Implosions,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 32 (7), 352–355 (1974).
Shown here is rms density perturbations
Several laser-amplifier concepts were investigated in the 1970s at LLE, including this 90-mm-diam Nd:glass amplifier using phosphate glass. The basic design of this amplifier is being used in today’s OMEGA Laser System.
Shown here is Steve Kumpan working on a laser amplifier
In an article titled “Numerical Modeling of Laser Produced Plasmas,” Edward Goldman, who headed the LLE theory effort at that time, published results on numerical modeling in Plasma Physics. Theoretical calculations showed the benefits of short-wavelength laser irradiation for laser-fusion targets. There was also an interest in the use of laser fusion for the production of fissile materials by one of LLE’s major sponsors, General Electric.
A paper based on DELTA experiments by Goldman, Soures, and Lubin on the “Saturation of Stimulated Backscattered Radiation in Laser Plasmas” was published in Physical Review Letters (PRL) in 1973.
E. B. Goldman “Numerical Modeling of Laser Produced Plasmas: The Dynamics and Neutron Production in Dense Spherically Symmetric Plasmas,” Plasma Phys. 15 289–310 (1973).
L. M. Goldman, J. Soures, and M. J. Lubin, “Saturation of Stimulated Backscattered Radiation in Laser Plasmas,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 31 (19), 1184–1187 (1973).
Shown here is the initial normalized density profile as a function of radius
This vacuum chamber was used for a variety of early laser-matter interaction and implosion experiments at LLE in the early to mid-70s. Some of the pioneering experiments conducted on DELTA included: cryogenic deuterium targets, early measurements of stimulated scattering in laser-produced plasmas, and compressed plasma density measurements using Stark broadening of x-ray lines.
Shown here is the vacuum chamber, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of Rochester Libraries
The Laser Fusion Feasibility Project (LFFP) was established at LLE. It was the first privately funded effort involving industry-university-government collaboration to investigate laser fusion as an energy source for the future. The LFFP consortium together invested $35 million to the development of inertial fusion as an energy source. This represented the largest single contribution made to this field outside the federal government.
LFFP was among the nation’s first privately funded research efforts in laser fusion. Exxon and General Electric were the first two major industrial sponsors of LFFP and were joined later by Northeast Utilities, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation, Southern California Edison, Standard Oil of Ohio (SOHIO), and Ontario Hydro.
Shown here is one of the DELTA Laser beamlines.
