The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has ordered preamplifier modules from Quantel (Les Ulis, France) to be shipped over a four-year period. Under terms of the multi-year contract, Quantel will manufacture and test the critical preamplifier modules used in the Laser Source Assembly. The Preamplifier Modules will increase the energy of the initial pulse from several billionths of a Joule to around 1 Joule. Further amplification takes place in the amplifier section and, after beam combination, the total energy delivered to the target is expected to be in excess of one million Joules.
According to the CEA's website, "The Megajoule Laser Facility (LMJ) is a
key component of CEA's Simulation Program. Its purpose is to study, at a
very small scale, the behavior of
materials under extreme conditions
similar to those reached during the operation of nuclear weapons. The
LMJ is designed to deliver, in a few billionths of a second, more than
one million joules of light energy to targets measuring a few
millimeters in size. Since France indefinitely halted nuclear testing in
1996, the Simulation Program has been the key element that allows CEA
physicists to guarantee the reliability, safety and performance of the
country's nuclear weapons."
"For over 10 years, Quantel has been working in close cooperation with
teams from the French Atomic Energy Authority on the design, development
and manufacture of this critical technology," said Alain de Salaberry,
CEO of
Quantel.
"Despite exceptional technical challenges in design, manufacture and
test, we're thrilled to deliver the demanding performance required for
this unique application."
In order to bring the system to full functionality, a total of 90
preamplifier modules are required to equip the 22 laser beam lines. The
CEA may place a second similar size order in order to fully equip all
lines of the Megajoule Laser.
LINK TO ARTICLE:
http://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/2015/08/quantel-wins-sizable-preamplifier-module-order-for-cea-s-megajoule-laser.html