1. OSU/UCSD/GA Experimental Program J. Pasley, E. Shipton, T. Ma, B. Bucher, S. Chen, F. Beg University of California at San Diego E. Chowdhury, L. Van Woerkom, R. Freeman Ohio State University R. Stephens General Atomics A. Edens, J. Schwarz, P. Rambo, M. Geissel, M. Ramsey, I. Smith, J. Porter Sandia National Laboratory Sandia National Laboratory University of California, San Diego Center for Energy Research

2. Overview We have commenced an experimental program at Sandia National Laboratory using the new Z-PetaWatt upgrade laser We have commenced an experimental program at Sandia National Laboratory using the new Z-PetaWatt upgrade laser This laser is in the process of being commissioned, with our experiments on-going throughout the commissioning process This laser is in the process of being commissioned, with our experiments on-going throughout the commissioning process I will show how our experimental program is developing hand-in-hand with the facilities at Sandia I will show how our experimental program is developing hand-in-hand with the facilities at Sandia

3. HIGH ENERGIES 10 – 20 J (Jan ’06) 80J in 400fs (Summer ’06) Production of bench marking data for relativistic electron modeling codes such as LSP and Osiris Production of bench marking data for relativistic electron modeling codes such as LSP and Osiris  Low-mass wire experiments to investigate electron transport in simple ‘1-D’ geometry  Flat foil LPI experiments to investigate electron response in laser spot TWO BEAM (Summer/ Fall ’06) Proton deflectometry to facilitate magnetic field measurement Proton deflectometry to facilitate magnetic field measurement Planned experiments rely on a continued escalation of capabilities

4. ExperimentPhysicsFacility April ’05 May ’05 June ’05 July ’05 August ‘05 Installation of target chamber vacuum system Front end optimization Installation and preliminary alignment of final (large ф )optics Beam path enclosure completed

5. 5JExperimentPhysicsFacility September ’05 October ’05 November ’05 Set-up for ion time of flight diagnostic Commissioning activities for sub-5J energy shots Focal spot optimization Set-up of gas lines for gas puff experiments Installation of movable shield wall Target alignment system / cameras installed 3 x 4 μm 4.5 x 9μm

6. ExperimentPhysicsFacility December ’05 January ’06 Focal spot intensity from direct measurement (~5.6 x 10 16 W/cm 2 ) Pulses in the 1-5J range available into gas puffs Commissioning activities associated with bringing up disk amplifiers Work on vacuum system to reduce noise level Improved measure of focused intensity Commissioning activities associated with bringing up disk amplifiers First shots into gas puffs Now

7. 20JExperimentPhysicsFacility February ’06 March ‘06 Commissioning activities ramping up available energy to 80J -Disk presents us with a relatively large target (laser has limited pointing accuracy) -Targets are still very low mass, so electrons forced to go down wire -Will study effects of modifying wire/vacuum interface on energy loss - Essentially a 1D configuration – so relatively simple to analyze : Bench marking

8. 80JExperimentPhysicsFacility April ’06 May ’06 June ’06 July ‘06 Commissioning activities ramping up available energy to 80J Installation of two- beam set-up More energy allows for brighter sources, and higher resolution We are investigating approaches to micron resolution imaging that would enable filamentary structures to be resolved Novel HEDP experiments – bright backlighters / ‘fill tube’ implosions Reflectivity probe setup

9. ExperimentPhysicsFacility August ’06 September ’06 October ’06 November ‘06 Two-beam set-up becomes available Novel pump – probe and proton imaging experiments are facilitated Able to ‘look’ directly at magnetic field in over-dense plasma inaccessible to optical probing diagnostics

10. Conclusions We commenced taking data at the Z- PetaWatt facility in December We commenced taking data at the Z- PetaWatt facility in December As the laser is commissioned, and we increase our diagnostic portfolio, more sophisticated experiments will be facilitated As the laser is commissioned, and we increase our diagnostic portfolio, more sophisticated experiments will be facilitated