4 K charge coupled device: A universal approach to diagnostic readout for the National Ignition Facility (abstract)

• Published in: Review of Scientific Instruments
• Main Authors: Sewall, Noel, Nielsen, Darron, Moody, James, Vitalich, Michel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: AIP Publishing 2001
• Subjects: Instrumentation; The Pointers
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1323476; https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article-pdf/72/1/520/11202855/520_1_online.pdf

This article describes an approach for data acquisition and retrieval to be used on several key diagnostics for experimental support on the National Ignition Facility. The major feature is a direct replacement for film with a large format, scientific grade charge coupled device (CCD) imager requiring minimum space in the diagnostic environment. Additionally, the system provides rapid data acquisition without film developing or digitizing time, equivalent or better resolution than film (9 μm pixel spacing), and compatibility with our existing diagnostic front ends. The CCD camera has been shown to provide very good linearity and signal to noise. Features of this camera include a modular design approach from the clocking state machine through the digitizer/data buffer including diagnostic controller software. Changing the imaging device will require only a change in the clock state machine and the pointers in the internal data buffer storage. Also the camera will provide digital output for transmission on a fiber optic line to provide better noise immunity and resistance to electromagnetic pulse. Results of the 4 K×4 K imaging front end used on laser experiments at the LLE Omega facility will be presented.