2009 R&D 100 Winner
Laser light has evolved from a scientific novelty to a workhorse of research, communications, manufacturing, and directed energy. High-intensity lasers have extensive applications in energy, basic science, and defense, but the rush for high intensity and power has the potential to damage the very optical elements that create the laser. To that end, a senior engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif., has built a tremendously quick safety check, called Spectral Sentry—Protecting High-Intensity Lasers from Bandwidth-Related Damage. The device inspects each individual laser pulse generated by the laser it is protecting, and determines if the pulse meets the minimum bandwidth requirements to avoid self-destruction when amplified. This assessment is done so rapidly that Spectral Sentry can stop the speed-of-light pulse it just measured from further amplification, avoiding potential laser damage. The Spectral Sentry technology is enabling increased performance from LLNL’s Mercury laser, an advanced diode-pumped, solid-state laser designed for evaluating inertial fusion energy systems.
Technology
Laser protection device
Developer
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
