Pulsed power conditioning system for the Megajoule laser

Abstract

The CEA is responsible for the Megajoule Laser (LMJ) facility. This facility is a large flashlamp pump laser (1.8 MJ optical output). CEA and THALES entered into a contract for the design and manufacturing of the pulsed power conditioning system. This PPCS is based on a modular design of 540 modules (450 MJ energy capacitor bank) in order to have a more flexible and safer facility. For the first step of the LMJ program, called /spl Lt/Ligne Integration Laser/spl Gt/ (LIL), one laser chain had been built. This paper describes the evolution of module design for LMJ and the results obtained on the LIL. The overall electrical performance measured meets the requirements.