Generation of ENergetic Beam Ultimate (GENBU) Laser - Main Laser -

Abstract

A new diode-pumped laser fusion driver has been conceptually designed at 16-Hz repetition rate, 17% electrical-optical efficiency and less than 3000-m³ main amplifier size. Output power is 1.2 MJ for a blue compression laser and 0.1 MJ for a heating laser. 1-kJ pulse energy in near infrared is a basic unit to obtain such megajoules energy. We have proposed two new technologies into the system. One is cryogenic Yb:YAG ceramics as a laser material. The other is a large-aperture active-mirror as amplifier architecture. Recently, 1-kJ laser system "GENBU" has been designed in details with these technologies as a milestone for the new driver. A 1-J system "GENBU-Kid" is under construction for power-scaling up to 1 kJ.