Modeling of the petawatt PETAL laser chain using Miró code

Area of Science:

• Laser physics and simulation
• High-power laser systems engineering
• Nonlinear optics

Background:

• The Laser Megajoule (LMJ) and PETAL laser chain are crucial for fusion energy research.
• Accurate simulation of laser propagation, amplification, and focusing is essential for optimizing performance.
• Previous simulations often lacked comprehensive modeling of broadband effects and complex optical components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Miró software's capability in simulating complex high-power laser systems.
• To assess Miró's performance in modeling both nanosecond (LMJ) and subpicosecond (PETAL) laser regimes.
• To demonstrate Miró's ability to handle advanced optical phenomena like broadband amplification and chromatism compensation.

Main Methods:

• Intensive simulation of the Laser Megajoule (LMJ) using Miró software.
• Modeling of the petawatt PETAL laser chain in the subpicosecond regime.
• Inclusion of amplification, frequency conversion, temporal/spatial beam smoothing, broadband effects, chromatism compensation, beam segmentation/recombination, and off-axis parabola focusing.

Main Results:

• Miró software successfully simulated key aspects of the LMJ for nanosecond pulses.
• The software accurately modeled relevant features of the PETAL laser chain in the subpicosecond regime.
• Comprehensive modeling capabilities were demonstrated, including broadband amplification and chromatism compensation.

Conclusions:

• Miró software is a powerful tool for simulating high-power laser facilities like LMJ and PETAL.
• The software's ability to handle broadband effects and complex optical configurations is validated.
• Miró provides a reliable platform for designing and optimizing future laser systems.