Development of radiation-tolerant monitor cameras used at the National Ignition Facility

Lawrence Livermore’s National Ignition Facility (NIF) requires a radiation tolerant video camera to remotely monitor varied activities in and around the NIF target chamber. Our present suite of monitor cameras must be either, removed during high yield shots, requiring substantial resources or left in place which greatly reduces their life expectancy. Our goal was to develop a relatively inexpensive, radiation tolerant monitor camera which could be left in place during high yield laser experiments yet continue to give quality data for up to (5) years of operation or about 250 high yield shots. The camera was built around the CMOSIS CMV 2000 / 4000 sensor. Camera components were chosen based on their radiation tolerant performance at the Cobham radiation test facility in CO Springs. The prototype camera was tested both at Cobham and on the NIF during high yield shots. We will present test results as well as predictions for camera life expectancy.