The Electra KRF laser

Abstract

Electra is a repetitively pulsed, electron beam pumped krypton fluoride (KrF) laser that will develop the technologies that can meet the inertial fusion energy (IFE) requirements for durability, efficiency, and cost. The components that need to be developed are: a durable and efficient pulsed power system; a durable electron emitter; a long life, transparent pressure foil structure (hibachi); a laser gas recirculator; and long life optical windows. The technologies developed on Electra will be directly scalable to a full size fusion power plant beam line. This paper gives an overview of the Electra program, and then concentrates on the most recent research results of electron beam deposition through the hibachi into the laser cell.