Plasma Electrode Pockels Cell Subsystem Performance in the National Ignition Facility

Summary form given only. The plasma electrode pockels cell (PEPC) subsystem is a key component of the National Ignition Facility, enabling the laser to employ an efficient four-pass main amplifier architecture. PEPC relies on pulsed power technology to initiate and maintain plasma within the cells and to provide the necessary high voltage bias to the cells´ nonlinear crystals. Ultimately, nearly 300 high-voltage, high-current pulse generators will be deployed in NIF in support of PEPC. Production of solid-state plasma pulse generators and thyratron-switched switch pulse generators is approaching the 70% point, with the majority of the available hardware deployed in the facility. An entire cluster (one-fourth of a complete NIF) has been commissioned and is operating on a routine basis, supporting laser shot operations. Another cluster has been deployed, awaiting final commissioning. Activation and commissioning of new hardware continues to progress in parallel, driving toward a goal of completing the PEPC subsystem in mid-2008.