Plasma Electrode Pockels Cell Subsystem Performance in the National Ignition Facility

Summary form given only. The plasma electrode pockels cell (PEPC) subsystem is a key component of the National Ignition Facility, enabling the laser to employ an efficient four-pass main amplifier architecture. PEPC relies on pulsed power technology to initiate and maintain plasma within the cells and to provide the necessary high voltage bias to the cells' nonlinear crystals. Ultimately, nearly 300 high-voltage, high-current pulse generators will be deployed in NIF in support of PEPC. Production of solid-state plasma pulse generators and thyratron-switched switch pulse generators is approaching the 70% point, with the majority of the available hardware deployed in the facility. An entire cluster (one-fourth of a complete NIF) has been commissioned and is operating on a routine basis, supporting laser shot operations. Another cluster has been deployed, awaiting final commissioning. Activation and commissioning of new hardware continues to progress in parallel, driving toward a goal of completing the PEPC subsystem in mid-2008.