Spatially random polarization-smoothing optics by residual stress birefringence of fused silica for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion

Zhang Chuanchao; Liao Wei; Jiang Xiaolong; Wang Haijun; Zeng Fa; Ni Wei; Li Ping; Jiang Xiaodong; Zhu Qihua

doi:10.1063/5.0277045

Volume 10 Issue 5

Sep. 2025

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Zhang Chuanchao, Liao Wei, Jiang Xiaolong, Wang Haijun, Zeng Fa, Ni Wei, Li Ping, Jiang Xiaodong, Zhu Qihua. Spatially random polarization-smoothing optics by residual stress birefringence of fused silica for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2025, 10(5): 057402. doi: 10.1063/5.0277045

Citation:

Zhang Chuanchao, Liao Wei, Jiang Xiaolong, Wang Haijun, Zeng Fa, Ni Wei, Li Ping, Jiang Xiaodong, Zhu Qihua. Spatially random polarization-smoothing optics by residual stress birefringence of fused silica for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2025, 10(5): 057402. doi: 10.1063/5.0277045

Citation:

Zhang Chuanchao, Liao Wei, Jiang Xiaolong, Wang Haijun, Zeng Fa, Ni Wei, Li Ping, Jiang Xiaodong, Zhu Qihua. Spatially random polarization-smoothing optics by residual stress birefringence of fused silica for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2025, 10(5): 057402. doi: 10.1063/5.0277045

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Spatially random polarization-smoothing optics by residual stress birefringence of fused silica for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion

doi: 10.1063/5.0277045

Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China

More Information

Corresponding author: a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: qihzh@163.com
Received Date: 2025-04-22
Accepted Date: 2025-07-25

Available Online: 2025-11-28

Publish Date: 2025-09-01

Abstract

Abstract

We demonstrate a new polarization smoothing (PS) approach utilizing residual stress birefringence in fused silica to create a spatially random polarization control plate (SRPCP), thereby improving target illumination uniformity in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) laser systems. The fundamental operating mechanism and key fabrication techniques for the SRPCP are systematically developed and experimentally validated. The SRPCP converts a linearly polarized 3ω incident laser beam into an output beam with a spatially randomized polarization distribution. When combined with a continuous phase plate, the SRPCP effectively suppresses high-intensity speckles at all spatial frequencies in the focal spot. The proposed PS technique is specifically designed for high-fluence large-aperture laser systems, enabling novel polarization control regimes in laser-driven ICF.

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.
Conflict of Interest
Author Contributions
Chuanchao Zhang: Conceptualization (equal); Data curation (equal); Formal analysis (equal); Investigation (equal); Methodology (equal); Software (equal); Validation (equal); Visualization (equal); Writing – original draft (equal). Wei Liao: Conceptualization (equal); Methodology (equal); Validation (equal); Writing – review & editing (supporting). Xiaolong Jiang: Methodology (equal); Validation (equal); Writing – review & editing (supporting). Haijun Wang: Investigation (supporting); Methodology (supporting); Validation (supporting). Fa Zeng: Data curation (supporting); Formal analysis (supporting); Investigation (supporting); Validation (supporting). Wei Ni: Funding acquisition (supporting); Methodology (supporting); Project administration (supporting); Resources (supporting). Ping Li: Funding acquisition (supporting); Methodology (supporting); Project administration (supporting); Resources (supporting). Xiaodong Jiang: Funding acquisition (supporting); Methodology (supporting); Project administration (supporting); Resources (supporting). Qihua Zhu: Conceptualization (lead); Formal analysis (lead); Funding acquisition (lead); Methodology (lead); Project administration (lead); Resources (lead); Supervision (lead); Validation (lead); Writing – review & editing (lead).
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

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References(15)

References

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