Performance of a simplified slit spatial filter for large laser systems

Abstract

A new-type slit spatial filter system with three lenses was proposed, in which the focal spot was turned into focal line by adding cylindrical lenses to increase focal area and then lower the focal intensity. Its performances on image relay, aperture matching and spatial filtering are comprehended by detailed theoretical calculations and numerical simulation. According to transmission spatial filter in national ignition facility, we present a replaceable slit spatial filter, which can reduce the overall length of laser system, improve the beam quality and suppress or even avoid the pinhole (slit) closure in the spatial filter.