LMI Seminar: The tiniest of structured-features on the largest of laser optics

Abstract:

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is one of the largest laser systems in the world in terms of both size and energetics. For the optics to meet the requirements of operating such systems, the science of light-matter interaction is being studied and technologies are being developed. In this talk, I will introduce two technologies we are developing for glass surface structuring for advancing light-control in these systems: metasurfaces and light-blocking elements. The demanding requirements for large optical apertures and irradiation durability necessitate taking a unique approach towards structured meta-surfaces, which we will detail and discuss the underlying physics involved. (As time permits) I will detail also how our recent findings of laser damage mechanisms affect the design of laser-machined optical elements that are designed to mitigate damage growth on NIF optics.