Diffraction grating eigenvector for translational and rotational motion.
Future energy scaling of high-energy chirped-pulse amplification systems will benefit from the capability to coherently tile diffraction gratings into larger apertures. Design and operation of a novel, accurate alignment diagnostic for coherently tiled diffraction gratings is required for successful implementation of this technique. An invariant diffraction direction and phase for special moves of a diffraction grating is discussed, allowing simplification in the design of the coherently tiled grating diagnostic. An analytical proof of the existence of a unique diffraction grating eigenvector for translational and rotational motion that conserves the diffraction direction and diffracted wave phase is presented.
Rushford
Michael C
MC
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, California 94550, USA. rushford1@llnl.gov
Molander
William A
WA
Nissen
James D
JD
Jovanovic
Igor
I
Britten
Jerald A
JA
Barty
C P J
CP