LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF GRAZING-INCIDENCE METAL MIRRORS FOR LASER FUSION

The grazing incidence metal mirror is a promising option for the final optic in a laser-driven inertial fusion energy power plant. It has been pursued as an alternative to multi-layer dielectric mirrors based on expectations of higher radiation damage resistance. Aluminum offers high reflectivity over a broad range of wavelengths exten-ding deep into the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, and thus offers special advantages for an excimer laser driver. In this article, we describe the fundamental phenomena of laser-induced metal mirror damage and lifetime, strate-gies for mirror fabrication, our experimental facility and techniques, and the results of fabrication and test cam-paigns over the past several years. I