Virtual Beamline++: Accelerating the design of high-energy, next generation laser architectures

Virtual Beam Line++ (VBL++) is an advanced nonlinear optical beam propagation code used for the design and operation of high-energy and high-power laser systems. It is the latest tool employed to precisely setup the National Ignition Facility’s (NIF) laser beams and support a broad range of missions from fusion ignition to high energy density science. VBL++ also plays a critical role in supporting a growing base of users with emerging and diverse laser designs, technologies, and applications. Beyond its use in NIF operations, this tool actively contributes to the design of novel architectures proposed by NIF researchers and collaborators. VBL++ offers an intuitive user interface for building optical chains and supports high-resolution runs using HPC resources. This talk will focus on a subset of features in VBL++ that help users to elevate their modeling above single simulations. These features include: - Parameterization and optimization of inputs - An interface for smooth desktop-to-HPC integration. - An inverse solver used to determine the input low-power pulse shape that will achieve the high-power request on target. - An interface written in Python, MATLAB, and IDL that enables users to build chains and run simulations with greater configurability. This application is still under active development: new models and enhanced features are added regularly to address evolving user’s needs at the cutting edge of inertial fusion class laser design and operations.