LIGHT laser facility at LLNL: dynamic compression experiments at high throughput

LIGHT (Laser Induced Compression for Grain Scale with High Throughput) platform is a newly commissioned facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). It consists of a commercial turn-key laser (1053nm and 527nm wavelengths, 20-40J energy per pulse, adjustable 10-100ns duration pulses, 1min rep rate), a modular target chamber (2x2x2’ cube with multiple access ports, air or vacuum, multiple sample holders with automated controls) and a set of various diagnostic tools (12 probe PDV array, spectroscopy, high speed imaging etc.). Illustrations of the LIGHT versatility will be demonstrated using experimental campaigns carried out over the past year. They range from platform characterization shots (beam uniformity, temporal resolution, timing accuracy etc.) to specific deliverables (impulse propagation in a material, rapid temperature detector screening, ejecta diagnostics commissioning etc.). Future developments like transitioning from tamped 10mm beam shots to direct drive 1mm beam shots will be also discussed.