TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Burst-Mode Chirped Pulse Amplification Method

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its Burst-Mode Chirped Pulse Amplification Method.

Background:

Secondary radiation flashes (e.g. X-rays, neutrons, etc.) can now be routinely produced on demand by high energy, short duration laser pulses generated through Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA). Scaling to even shorter duration, more intense pulses is desirable but runs the risk of damaging the laser optics and gain medium. A method of achieving improved secondary radiation yield that doesn’t risk damaging laser optics is needed.

Description:

This invention proposes achieving the same effect of a single, high intensity pulse through the use of a closely spaced burst of short duration pulses. By keeping the intensity of the individual pulses below the damage threshold the risk of catastrophic damage is greatly mitigated. Additionally, the pulses are directed to strike the target at locations temporally and spatially sufficiently separated to minimize laser-plasma interactions between pulses.

Advantages/Benefits: 

• Achieves high peak laser intensity without the laser self-destructing.
• Achieves high secondary radiation production yield by angular multiplexing the burst-mode pulses.

Potential Applications: 

• Production of MeV electrons, x-rays, gamma rays, protons, ions, neutrons, and positrons.
• Flash radiography of dense objects.
• Further applications in medicine and cancer therapy.

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development:  TRL3-4

LLNL has patent(s) on this invention.

U.S. Patent No. 11,222,734 Burst-Mode Chirped Pulse Amplification Method published 1/11/2022

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Burst-Mode Chirped Pulse Amplification Method should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Burst-Mode Chirped Pulse Amplification Method.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention:   IL-13335