Amplification of sub-ns pulses in plasma optic at NIF

Future laser applications require increases in pulse energy, power, and intensity beyond the limitations of conventional solid-state media. Plasma optics are a promising solution due to their increased resiliency to damage but require characterization in the linear and nonlinear response regimes. The plasma amplifier platform at NIF has transferred energy between up to 21 beams to nearly 8 kJ in 1 ns and investigated details such as the time history of this power transfer and the amplification of a focusing pulse. Recent efforts have targeted the design of a second amplification stage intended to boost a short pulse (100 ps) to higher power, for which an understanding of fast ion wave response on the kJ energy scale is critical. Experimental results demonstrating the amplification of sub-ns pulses down to 100 ps with kJ-class pumps in the beam combiner geometry will be presented along with accompanying simulations.