Targets and plasma diagnostics experimental systems at the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ)

 

The Laser MégaJoule (LMJ) is now operating with 10 laser chains i.e. 80 beams (300 kJ at 351 nm) that can be focused on targets for experiments. The LMJ operational capability will increase again gradually during the following years to reach the 1.5 MJ with 176 beams. At the same time, targets size and complexity is increasing. Now, a large set of diagnostic (more than 15) are now implemented around the target such as x-ray imagers, x-ray spectrometers, a VISAR, a Full Aperture BackScattering (FABS) diagnostic, a Near Backscattered Imager (NBI), charged particle diagnostics, and a nuclear diagnostic set to study laser interaction on targets. We will present the development state for the facility conducted at CEA for experimental purpose. We will describe targets alignment and assembly methods as the facility setup and performances. Targets and plasma diagnostics designs have been conducted taking into account the harsh environment (neutron yields, gamma rays, electromagnetic perturbations, debris and shrapnel) and the operational procedures.