Optical pulse compressor systems for laser fusion

The advantages and limitations of combined backward wave Raman pulse compression and pulse stacking for inertial fusion applications are discussed. A description of the major technological limitations which drive the designs of large (200 kJ) systems and some nominal systems parameters for a terawatt prototype stacker-compressor laser system are given. It is shown that aviable short wavelength laser fusion driver employing this concept can be expected to provide an overall power multiplication of 50 with a total systems efficiency of over 3 percent.