A kW-class nanosecond DPSSL operating at 100 J, 10 Hz for high energy density research at the European XFEL (Conference Presentation)

The development at STFC’s Central Laser Facility (CLF) of multi-slab gas cooled amplifier technology based on ceramic Yb:YAG, known as DiPOLE, is well known within the field [1]. Previous successes using this laser architecture include a 10 J, 10 Hz prototype system and demonstration of the world’s first 100 J, 10 Hz, 10 ns system (DiPOLE100), supplied to and commissioned at the HiLASE facility[2]. The success of the first kW-class 100 J nanosecond pulsed laser led to development of a second system to be made available to users of the HED Instrument at the European XFEL in collaboration with HiBEF / HZDR. This system, DiPOLE-100X, will be used for fundamental research into the structure and compression of materials, such as present in extrasolar planets [3]. DIPOLE-100X will provide nanosecond, user defined, temporally shaped pulses that once frequency doubled and focussed on target, create the pressure and temperature states of matter relevant to exoplanetary interiors. These changes can then be probed using the bright x-ray pulses of the European XFEL. DIPOLE-100X is scheduled for completion at the end of summer, before shipment to the European XFEL later in the year. In this paper we will present the operational and commissioning results for DiPOLE-100X, highlighting design changes and upgrades over the first generation, along with future developments of DiPOLE technology at the CLF.