Extreme Light Laboratory

State-of-the-art high-intensity laser facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) dedicated to the experimental science, technology, and applications of extreme light.

Infrastructure

Located on three floors of the Behlen Lab building on the UNL city campus. Laboratories meet stringent requirements on temperature (±1 C), humidity (5%), and vibration control, made possible by separate designated electrical, processed-chilled-water, and air-handling systems.

High-power lasers

Three separate and independent laser systems: (1) Diocles-Peak power from 0.2 - 0.7-PW at 0.1-Hz repetition rate, (2) Dioclese high rep. rate- Peak power 100-TW at 10-Hz (3) Archimedes- Peak power 10-TW at 10-Hz. Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplification lasers operating at 800-nm in 30-fs duration pulses.

Laser diagnostics

Real-time measurement and optimization at full power of pulse characteristics on target: energy, contrast and spatial mode.

Target rooms

Three each. Two are radiation-shielded for radiological safety.

Target chambers

High-vacuum, sized 72”x48”x24”. Motor-driven and remotely-operable optical mounts.

Beamlines

Independent pulse compression systems allow for independent control of pulse durations of dual and separate beams used in same experiment. Wavefront sensors and deformable mirrors control spatial phase. Spatial and temporal active feedback control provides consistent transform-limited pulses and diffraction-limited focusing at interaction. High numerical aperture focusing optics allow highly relativistic intensities to be achieved with laser light of either or both the fundamental frequency (800 nm) or its second harmonic (400 nm). 

Electron accelerator

Synchronized laser-wakefield-driven, quasi-monogenetic 100-400 MeV electron beams. [Note: Due to the complexity of this capability, it is provided by the facility only for collaborative experiments.]

X-ray light source

Synchronized x-rays (10 keV – 10 MeV) from bremsstrahlung, K-alpha, betatron, or Compton scattering. [Note: Due to the complexity of this capability, it is provided by the facility only for collaborative experiments.]

Control rooms

Remote monitoring and control of laser and experimental parameters.

Permanent staff

3 senior scientists, 2 technicians, 1 lab manager, 1 administrative coordinator assist users with safe and effective experimental campaigns. Trained laser-safety officer responsible for safety training and accountability. State-licensed accelerator facility, with radiation-safety monitoring and training.

In-house laboratory services

Operational procedures comply with EAR and ITAR export control regulations. In-house machine and electrical shops.

Visitor amenities

Ample office space. Downtown Lincoln city-campus location offers a wide variety of housing, restaurants, and entertainment walking distance from the laboratory.

Onboarding

Please follow this link for more information on on-boarding at the Extreme Light Laboratory.