Degradation of the Transmissive Optics for a Laser-Driven IFE Power Plant under Electron and X-Ray Irradiation

Abstract

Several facilities are used to test trasmissive optics of the IFE target chamber and KrF laser driver in regard of transient and residual radiation-induced absorption in the range of 150-1200 nm. Comparative study of radiation darkening of various fused silica glasses, high-purity CaF 2 , MgF 2 , and Al 2 O 3 crystals under irradiation by 300-keV electrons, soft (hν = 6-20 keV) and hard (hν ∼ 400 keV) X-rays is done and better radiation-proof optical materials are selected; the opposite effect of optics bleaching under UV laser light is observed.