Abstract: The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is one of the largest laser systems in the world in terms of both size and energetics. For the optics to meet the requirements of operating such systems, the science of light-matter interaction is being studied leading to new technologies development. In this talk, I will focus on introducing two technologies we are developing for glass surface structuring for advancing light-control in these systems: all-glass metasurfaces and light-blocking elements. The demanding requirements for large optical apertures and irradiation durability necessitate taking a unique approach towards structured meta-surfaces, which we will detail and discuss the underlying physics involved. These metasurfaces nanofeatures can be crafted to control the light transmission and direction, transform non-birefringent materials to exhibit birefringence, and even control non-optical surface properties. I will also detail our approach for arresting growth of laser-induced damage using precise laser machining of optical elements with prescribed geometry onto the NIF optics, and the development path that carries these elements from the drawing board to fully durable and functional elements.
Bio: Dr. Eyal Feigenbaum is the science and technology group leader for the Optics and Materials Organization in the NIF & Photon Science Directorate (at LLNL). He is conducting and leading research and development of optics technologies for laser systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion (2008). Subsequently, he conducted post-doctoral research on metasurfaces and nano-photonics at the California Institute of Technology, and afterwards joined the LLNL as a staff member in 2011. His areas of expertise include modeling of light-wave propagation in complex media; light-mater interaction; laser-induced damage; and metasurfaces and nano-photonics. He is an OSA Senior Member, has more than 60 refereed publications and 7 patents.