Experimental capabilities and tools
JLF has three laser platforms, each with varying capabilities. For a high-level overview of the Janus, Titan, and COMET laser systems, visit the Our lasers webpage. To view the facility’s layout, download our facility floor map.
Machine status
The energy output of each laser platform is dependent on the machine’s current status and duration of the laser pulse.
Machine status report
| FWHM | 141 | mm | ||
| gauss FWHM | 118 | mm | East | West |
| supergauss | 8 | DKDP | ||
| deff | 0.336 | pm/V | dk=0.03 | |
| KDP thick | 15 mm | 20 mm |
| t (ns) | 1w limit (J) | temporal super gaussian order | East 2w (J) calculated |
West 2w (J) calculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.35 | 145 | 1 | 114 | 108 |
| 0.5 | 195 | 1 | 151 | 147 |
| 0.75 | 245 | 1 | 184 | 188 |
| 1 | 272 | 1 | 194 | 208 |
| 1.25 | 294 | 1 | 201 | 222 |
| 1.5 | 313 | 2 | 228 | 247 |
| 1.75 | 330 | 2 | 234 | 258 |
| 2 | 346 | 2 | 238 | 267 |
| 2.5 | 374 | 2 | 245 | 282 |
| 3 | 398 | 3 | 258 | 301 |
| 3.5 | 421 | 3 | 261 | 311 |
| 4 | 441 | 4 | 269 | 324 |
| 5 | 479 | 5 | 275 | 340 |
| 6 | 512 | 6 | 279 | 352 |
| 7 | 543 | 7 | 283 | 362 |
| 8 | 572 | 8 | 285 | 371 |
| 9 | 599 | 9 | 287 | 378 |
| 10 | 625 | 10 | 288 | 385 |
| 12 | 674 | 10 | 292 | 396 |
| 14 | 721 | 10 | 294 | 405 |
| 16 | 765 | 10 | 297 | 414 |
| 18 | 808 | 10 | 300 | 423 |
| 20 | 850 | 10 | 304 | 432 |
Laser specs
The laser specs tables list the full laser specs and the maximum energies that each laser platform is capable of, independent of the pulse duration. For information on a platform’s max energy output with regard to pulse duration, reference the machine status report.
Laser bay
Short pulse (Titan only)
| Wavelength (nm) | Max energy, depending on pulse duration | Duration | Rep rate | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1053 | 300 J | 0.7–200 ps | 1/30 min | F/3 and F/10 |
| 527 | 50 J | 0.7–200 ps | 1/30 min | F/3 |
Long pulse east (Titan or Janus TA1)
| Wavelength (nm) | Max energy, depending on pulse duration | Duration | Rep rate | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1053 | 1000 J | 0.35–20 ns | 1/30 min | 200–2000 µm phase plates |
| 527 | 700 J | 0.35–20 ns | 1/30 min | 200–2000 µm phase plates |
Long pulse west (Janus TA1 only)
| Wavelength (nm) | Max energy, depending on pulse duration | Duration | Rep rate | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1053 | 1000 J | 0.35–20 ns | 1/30 min | 200–2000 µm phase plates |
| 527 | 700 J | 0.35–20 ns | 1/30 min | 200–2000 µm phase plates |
COMET
| Wavelength (nm) | Max energy, depending on pulse duration | Duration | Rep rate | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1053 | 10 J | 0.5 ps to ns | 15/hr | F/3.6 |
| 527 | 5 J | 0.5 ps to ns | 15/hr |
Probe beams
| Beam | Wavelength (nm) | Max energy, depending on pulse duration | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titan probe (Titan only) | 1053 | mJ | 0.7–200 ps |
| VISAR laser (Janus TA1 only) | 532 | 0.25 mJ | 60 ns |
| HIDRA (Janus TA1 only) | 800 | 15 | 100 fs |
Target area overview
This section provides an overview of each laser platform’s target area capabilities. The target area is where users set up their samples for laser irradiation.
Janus
- Two ns beams each with 1kJ at 1w (current max 800 J). Reference the laser specs section on this page for more informaiton on laser energies versus pulse duration.
- Flexible pulse shaping 0.5–18 ns
- Phase plates 200–2000 µm
- One beam fixed, other moveable
- 2w conversion
- 1D and 2D VISAR (532 nm, ¼ mJ, 60 ns)
- Wavelength tuning
- Hidra laser system (800 nm, 15 mJ, 100 fs)
Titan
- One ps beam and one ns beam at 1w
- Short Pulse: 700 fs–200 ps, 130 J (700 fs). Reference the laser specs section on this page for more informaiton on laser energies versus pulse duration.
- < 10 µm (F/3) or < 30 µm (F/10) spot
- Short pulse 2w possible (contact us)
- Long Pulse: 0.5–18 ns, multiple positions, 1 and 2w
- Probe: mJ probe beam (compressed)
COMET
- Up to two ns beams
- 0.5 ps–50 ps (compressed)
- 0.75 ns (uncompressed)
- Up to 10 J (1w) or 5 J (2w)
- 5-minute shot cycle
Available diagnostics
JLF offers a variety of diagnostic tools for users to incorporate into their experiments. Listed here are both JLF-owned diagnostics and those operated by LLNL users (use of the latter requires coordination with the LLNL user). If you have questions or would like to make a diagnostic request, email jlf-diagnostics [at] llnl.gov (jlf-diagnostics[at]llnl[dot]gov).
- Bremsstrahlung Cannon (BSC): A stack of image plates and metallic filters to measure high energy x-ray spectra. The measured spectra are used to infer the energy and quantity of high-energy electrons (hot electrons) generated during laser-plasma interactions.
- Electron-Positron-Proton Spectrometer (EPPS): A magnetic spectrometer used to measure and analyze the energy distribution of electrons, positrons, and protons by separating them based on their charge and momentum using a magnetic field. It is typically employed at JLF for studying particle acceleration mechanisms.
- Imaging plates and scanner: Used to capture and analyze the spatial distribution of radiation produced by the laser, such as x-rays, gamma rays, or high-energy particles, by recording the pattern of energy deposition on the plate, which is then read out by a scanner to generate a digital image of the radiation distribution. Many JLF diagnostics use image plates, e.g., medium sensitivity (MS), super resolution (SR), or tritium/thermal resistant (TR).
- Optical camera: JLF has several high-quality optical cameras designed to capture images of laser beams by detecting the light emitted from the laser, allowing researchers to analyze the beam profile, intensity distribution, and other characteristics during a laser experiment.
- Optical interferometer: Optical interferometers are used to extract information from beam interference. Upon request and through collaboration with LLNL users, JLF can provide optical interferometers, coupled with the Titan probe (mJ level, 1w or 2w) or Hidra laser beam in Janus/target area 1 (800 nm, 15 mJ, 100 fs).
- Optical spectrometer: JLF has a couple of optical, grating-based optical spectrometers available for measuring the intensity of light across different wavelengths.
- Radiochromic Film (RCF): Primarily used at JLF to measure and visualize the spatial distribution and energy spectrum of ion beams, particularly protons, generated through laser-matter interactions, allowing researchers to characterize the beam profile and energy deposition by analyzing the color change on the film at different depths within a stacked configuration.
- Streak cameras: Streak cameras are available for time-resolved optical measurements (S1 and S20 photocathodes) of light intensity. The streak camera can be coupled to a spectrometer.
- Thomson parabola: By separating ions based on their trajectory through crossed electric and magnetic fields, this diagnostic tool is used to analyze and characterize the energy, charge-to-mass ratio, and species of ions generated by the laser-plasma interaction.
- Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR): JLF has a permanent line VISAR diagnostic installed in Janus/target area 1. The VISAR beam is 532 nm, ¼ mJ, 60 ns. The diagnostic has two legs, with an additional line for streaked optical pyrometry (SOP). VISAR/SOP are typically used to measure the speed of laser-driven shocks in a material.
For additional details about each laser’s experimental capabilities:
Visit the Our lasers webpage or contact us at jlf [at] llnl.gov (jlf[at]llnl[dot]gov)
Data handling
Data at JLF is handled on a case-by-case basis for external participants. To acquire data, users may use a combination of JLF-owned/LLNL-operated diagnostics (see the available diagnostics section on this page) as well as diagnostics brought from their home institution.
To collect data, users must use an approved thumb drive or LLNL computer. Any data obtained through a JLF experiment must be approved for release through LLNL’s review and release process before that data can be released to external participants and shared publicly.
JLF is actively working on a process that will allow for easier data access through a data handling repository. Until this new process is implemented, the JLF administrator will work with users to provide them with their data. Users can expect to receive their data within a couple of weeks following the completion of their experimental run.
