Recent developments on the Vulcan High Power Laser Facility

Abstract

We present details of a refurbishment and development programme that we have undertaken on the Vulcan Nd:Glass laser system to improve delivery to its two target areas. For target area petawatt in addition to replacing the gratings in the compressor chamber we have installed a new diagnostic line for improved pulse length measurement and commissioned a high energy seed system to improve contrast. In target area west we have replaced a grating on the high energy short pulse line and improved the focal spot quality. Both areas have been re-commissioned and their laser parameters measured showing that the pulse in petawatt has been measured below 500fs and focused to a spot size of 4μm the two short pulse beam lines in target area west have been measured as short as 1ps and have been focused to 5μm.