High LIDT with quasi-bubble free fused silica for better performing laser based nuclear fusion systems

Laser based nuclear fusion requires enormous laser powers which are taxing on optical elements in the beam path and often lead to laser damage. A key factor in reducing risk of laser damage is minimizing bubbles, especially small bubbles and other inhomogeneities in the optical material. Over the decades, Heraeus Conamic has fine-tuned its fused silica manufacturing processes to improve material quality with respect to bubble size and quantity. In synthetic fused silica bubble quality can differ significantly depending on the respective process. Heraeus Conamic’s patented homogenization process results a in a reduced bubble content compared to the produced raw material. Heraeus Conamic’s homogenization process manages these microbubbles. These incremental but important recent fused silica material quality improvement enable higher laser power and more frequent shot of the laser systems in inertial fusion research and upcoming commercial systems.