Electra: a repetitively pulsed KrF laser system

Electra is a repetitively pulsed, electron beam pumped krypton fluoride (KrF) laser at the Naval Research Laboratory. It is used to develop the technologies required for a large, durable and repetitive laser driver for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). This paper gives an overview of the Electra program, and then concentrates on the most recent research advances in electron beam propagation in the diode and deposition in the laser gas, repetitive laser energy extraction in an oscillator mode, the laser gas recirculator, and KrF kinetics.