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Extreme Light Laboratory

Diocles and Archimedes Laser Systems

  • University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Laser Type: Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplification lasers

Lincoln, Nebraska is part of the "Silicon Prairie"— an under-the-radar hub for innovation in the Midwest boasting one of the fastest growing job markets in the country. The state-of-the-art high-intensity laser facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is dedicated to the experimental science, technology, and applications of extreme light.

Capabilities

Overview

Located on three floors of the Behlen Lab building on the UNL city campus. Laboratories meet stringent requirements on temperature (±1 C), humidity (5%), and vibration control, made possible by separate designated electrical, processed-chilled-water, and air-handling systems.

High-power lasers

Three separate and independent laser systems: (1) Diocles-Peak power from 0.2 - 0.7-PW at 0.1-Hz repetition rate, (2) Diocles high rep. rate- Peak power 100-TW at 10-Hz (3) Archimedes- Peak power 10-TW at 10-Hz. Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplification lasers operating at 800-nm in 30-fs duration pulses.

Laser diagnostics

Real-time measurement and optimization at full power of pulse characteristics on target: energy, contrast, and spatial mode.

Target rooms

Three each. Two are radiation-shielded for radiological safety.

Target chambers

High-vacuum, sized 72”x48”x24”. Motor-driven and remotely-operable optical mounts.

Beamlines

Independent pulse compression systems allow for independent control of pulse durations of dual and separate beams used in same experiment. Wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors control spatial phase. Spatial and temporal active feedback control provides consistent transform-limited pulses and diffraction-limited focusing at interaction. High numerical aperture focusing optics allow highly relativistic intensities to be achieved with laser light of either or both the fundamental frequency (800 nm) or its second harmonic (400 nm). 

Electron accelerator

Synchronized laser-wakefield-driven, quasi-monogenetic 100-400 MeV electron beams. (Note: Due to the complexity of this capability, it is provided by the facility only for collaborative experiments.)

X-ray light source

Synchronized x-rays (10 keV – 10 MeV) from bremsstrahlung, K-alpha, betatron, or Compton scattering. (Note: Due to the complexity of this capability, it is provided by the facility only for collaborative experiments.)

Control rooms

Remote monitoring and control of laser and experimental parameters.

Permanent staff

1 senior scientist, 2 technicians, 1 lab manager, 1 administrative coordinator assist users with safe and effective experimental campaigns. Trained laser-safety officer responsible for safety training and accountability. State-licensed accelerator facility, with radiation-safety monitoring and training.

In-house laboratory services

Operational procedures comply with EAR and ITAR export control regulations. In-house machine and electrical shops.

Visitor amenities

Ample office space. Downtown Lincoln city-campus location offers a wide variety of housing, restaurants, and entertainment walking distance from the laboratory.

https://www.unl.edu/diocles/home
Donald Umstadter, donald.umstadter@unl.edu

Archimedes 6 TW Mode

Parameter Value Unit Additional Information
Center Wavelength 810 nm  
Pulse duration (I FWHM) 30 fs  
Max energy on target 0.3 J  
Shot energy stability 10 % r.m.s.
Focal spot at target      
F/number f/2    
intensity FWHM 2 μm  
Strehl ratio 0.9    
Energy containment 90 % within 3.6 µm radius
F/number f/25          
focal spot FWHM 50 μm        
Strehl ratio 0.9          
Energy containment 90 % within   µm radius
Pointing Stability 25 μrad  
Pre-pulse contrast      
ns scale 10-10   @ 2 ns  
ps scale 10-8   @ 175 ps  
Repetition Rate 10 Hz  

Diocles 0.7 PW Mode

Parameter Value Unit Additional Information
Center Wavelength 805 nm  
Pulse duration (I FWHM) 30 fs  
Max energy on target 20 J  
Shot energy stability 10 % r.m.s.
Focal spot at target      
F/number f/1    
intensity FWHM 1 μm  
Strehl ratio 0.9    
Energy containment 90 % within 3.6 µm radius
F/number f/15          
focal spot FWHM 20 μm        
Strehl ratio 0.9          
Energy containment 90 % within 36 µm radius
Pointing Stability 25 μrad  
Pre-pulse contrast      
ns scale 10-10   @ 2 ns  
ps scale 10-8   @ 175 ps  
Repetition Rate 0.1 Hz  

Diocles 100 TW Mode

Parameter Value Unit Additional Information
             
Center Wavelength 805 nm  
Pulse duration (I FWHM) 30 fs  
Max energy on target 3.5 J  
Shot energy stability 5 %  
Focal spot at target      
F/number f/2    
intensity FWHM 2 μm  
Strehl ratio 0.9    
Energy containment 90 % within 3.6 µm radius
F/number f/15          
focal spot FWHM 20 μm        
Strehl ratio 0.9          
Energy containment 90 % within 36 µm radius
Pointing Stability 10 μrad  
Pre-pulse contrast      
ns scale 10-9   @ >1 ns  
ps scale 5x10-10   @ 175 ps  
  3x10-8     1 ps  
Repetition Rate 10 Hz  

Contacts

Have a question or need assistance with your research?

Please address
inquiries to:

Email: donald.umstadter@unl.edu

News, Events & Publications

Dec 2, 2021    Publications

Experimental observation of polarization-resolved nonlinear Thomson scattering of elliptically polarized light

C. Fruhling, J. Wang, D. Umstadter, C. Schulzke, M. Romero, M. Ware, and J. Peatross. Phys. Rev. A 104, 053519, (2021).

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Mar 15, 2021    Publications

Traveling‐wave Thomson scattering for electron‐beam spectroscopy

Q. Chen, V. Horny, R. Syed, and D. Umstadter. Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 24, 032901 (2021).

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May 6, 2021    Dissertations

Fundamental Studies of Thomson Scattering

C. Fruhling, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Advisor: D. Umstadter

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