Timeline – 2003
Funding and Construction of OMEGA EP Begins
A major enhancement to the OMEGA Laser System, OMEGA EP (extended performance), included four new high-energy beamlines, a versatile high-intensity capability, and a new auxiliary target chamber. Construction began on April 1, 2003 with $13 million in FY03 funding. The National Nuclear Security Administration approval of “Mission Need” followed in May 2003. The University of Rochester authorized funding for an 82,000-square foot addition to LLE to house the new facility located adjacent to the existing OMEGA laser. Building construction began in August 2003 and was completed in January 2005.
OMEGA EP Amplifiers
Work continues on the design of the OMEGA EP amplifiers. The LLE-designed amplifier configuration is similar to amplifiers currently used in the 60-beam OMEGA Laser System. Each OMEGA amplifier, however, uses four laser disks, while the OMEGA EP prototype amplifier will contain a single rectangular slab. Ultimately, 11 of these modules will be used in the main amplifier and five will be used in the booster amplifier. Other requirements include a modular design (three major assemblies: the amplifier frame assembly, the slab frame assembly, and the pump module); water-cooling for glass components; the ability to take at least one shot every two hours (i.e., the optics must cool down within this time frame to prevent damage); the ability to accommodate a 40-cm square laser beam, and maintenance similar to the existing OMEGA amplifiers.
