title: Multipass reconfiguration of the HELEN Nd:glass laser at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
abstract: The HELEN high-power Nd:glass laser has been rebuilt in a new multipass configuration that requires fewer components to maintain existing performance. This is expected to lead to greater system availability and reduced running costs. We describe the new design, discuss some of the key issues that had to be addressed, and present operational results.
authors.affiliation: Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom. mike.norman@awe.co.uk
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Bett
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: Nicholas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Hopps
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson