New high-power laser facility PALS -: prospects for laser-plasma research

In this paper, we report on a new laser facility called PALS (Prague Asterix Laser System), which is currently under construction, and which will house the high-power iodine laser Asterix IV. Upon its completion in late 1999, the PALS facility will be capable of providing single- or multiple-pulse irradiation with a variable pulse duration ranging from 100 to 500 ps. Wavelengths available will be 1.315 mu m, 658 nm, and 438 nm. The system will provide one main beam with energy up to 1200 J and two smaller auxiliary beams with a combined energy of up to 100 J. A wide variety of geometries and variable pulse timings is available. We assess PALS' potential for investigating the physics of laser plasmas in inertial confinement fusion, the development and applications of X-ray lasers, X-ray spectroscopy, and radiation transport, using multiple-pulse and extended beam capability.