Nov 5 2008
Researchers with the State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, the CAS Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, have been successful in developing a multifunctional and high-energy laser beam system (also known as the ninth laser beam) at the Shenguang-II Laser Facility (SGII).
Officially initiated in October 2002, the 92 million yuan ($1.3 billion) project is to build an additional beam to the existing eight laser amplification chains at SGII, an important experimental platform for the short-term and mid-term studies of inertial confinement fusion in China. It has been completed recently and passed an acceptance check on 25 October by a panel of experts under the auspices of CAS, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics and the national "863" Program for High-tech Research and Development on in Shanghai.
According to experts, the new facility, featuring several new technologies and advanced devices independently developed by the researchers, has fulfilled all technical requirements of the project. So far, it has conducted more than 1,000 shots of target-shooting alone or in cooperation with the other eight beams, with 80% of hits.
Its output laser light serves as a driving source for the optical probing system and shock wave induced by high-power laser, playing a substantial role in a variety of physical tests such as those in compression of infra-explosion compression, instability at the interface of two fluids, opacity, equations on a material's high-pressurized state, experimental astrophysics, X-ray laser devices and their application.
Constructed in 2001, SGII boasts the fourth among similar finalities in operation worldwide.