In-Tank, On-Shot Characterization Of The Omega Laser System Focal Spot

Direct-drive fusion implosion experiments using the 60-beam OMEGA Laser System require similar to 1% rms uniformity on target. Measurements from laser diagnostics indicate that beam-to-beam power variation has been sufficiently reduced such that the uniformity nearly meets this requirement; however, experimental results suggest otherwise. To better understand this discrepancy, a full-beam-in-tank diagnostic has been developed to characterize the on-shot, full-energy focal spot of a single beam inside the target chamber using a small sample of the beam from the final optic assembly. In this paper, we describe the diagnostic and present the results of commissioning experiments.