Amplifier of Nd-glass laser facility for in-lab simulation of astrophysical phenomena

It is described the amplifier of a compact laser facility designed for investigating opportunities and methods of in-lab simulation of the radiation and hydrodynamic effects, which occur during Supernova shell dispersion. The amplifier is assembled as a 7-pass layout with spatial separation of the beams in one active element made from neodymium glass. In order to enhance the contrast of the laser pulse directed onto the target with a sophisticated design, an optical shutter is placed at amplifier input. The optical shutter is designed around an electro-optic deflector with the crystal LiTaO3 and a spatial filter. The electro-optic deflector is controlled with the electronic units using high voltage light-triggered silicon switches. The contrast of a single laser pulse at the amplifier output is similar to10(4), while its energy reaches 1.8 J in case of the duration of not more than 500 ps.