Dr. Erlan S. Bliss Profile

Dr. Erlan S. Bliss

Senior Physicist

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Area of Expertise:

laser , diagnostics , alignment , wavefront

Publications (29)

Proceedings Article | 29 August 2017 Paper

Paper

Design of a line-VISAR interferometer system for the Sandia Z Machine

J. Galbraith, K. Austin, J. Baker, R. Bettencourt, E. Bliss, J. Celeste, T. Clancy, S. Cohen, M. Crosley, P. Datte, D. Fratanduono, G. Frieders, J. Hammer, J. Jackson, D. Johnson, M. Jones, D. Koen, J. Lusk, A. Martinez, W. Massey, T. McCarville, H. McLean, K. Raman, S. Rodriguez, D. Spencer, P. Springer, J. Wong

Proceedings Volume 10390, 1039002 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2275088

KEYWORDS: Pulsed power, Interferometers, Optomechanical design, Reflectors, Imaging systems, Optical components

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2015 Paper

Paper

Detecting fiducials affected by trombone delay in ARC and the main laser alignment at the National Ignition Facility

Abdul A. Awwal, Erlan Bliss, Victoria Miller Kamm, Richard Leach, Randy Roberts, Michael Rushford, Roger Lowe-Webb, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9598, 959812 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2190065

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Distortion, X-rays, Image processing, X-ray imaging, Optical alignment, Fusion energy, Diagnostics, Free space optics, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 9 September 2015 Paper

Paper

Automated alignment of the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) target area at the National Ignition Facility

Randy Roberts, Abdul A. Awwal, Erlan Bliss, John Heebner, Richard Leach, Charles Orth, Michael Rushford, Roger Lowe-Webb, Karl Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 9598, 959814 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2190252

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Mirrors, Diagnostics, Cameras, Image processing, X-rays, CCD cameras, Charge-coupled devices, Optical alignment, Tolerancing

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Proceedings Article | 14 October 2014 Paper

Paper

Analysis of the confluence of three patterns using the Centering and Pointing System (CAPS) images for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility

Richard Leach, Abdul Awwal, Erlan Bliss, Randy Roberts, Michael Rushford, Karl Wilhelmsen, Thomas Zobrist

Proceedings Volume 9216, 92161Q (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2064664

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Image processing, Image segmentation, Image analysis, Image fusion, Signal processing, Algorithm development, Cameras, Diagnostics, Near field optics

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Proceedings Article | 19 September 2014 Paper

Paper

Image analysis algorithms for the advanced radiographic capability (ARC) grating tilt sensor at the National Ignition Facility

Randy Roberts, Erlan Bliss, Michael Rushford, John Halpin, Abdul Awwal, Richard Leach

Proceedings Volume 9216, 92160B (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062679

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Binary data, Sensors, Cameras, Image analysis, Reticles, Mirrors, Algorithm development, Image sensors, Beam analyzers

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Proceedings Article | 8 September 2010 Paper

Paper

The National Ignition Facility: alignment from construction to shot operations

S. Burkhart, E. Bliss, P. Di Nicola, D. Kalantar, R. Lowe-Webb, T. McCarville, D. Nelson, T. Salmon, T. Schindler, J. Villanueva, K. Wilhelmsen

Proceedings Volume 7797, 77970M (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.861485

KEYWORDS: National Ignition Facility, Mirrors, Spatial filters, Kinematics, Optical alignment, Image processing, Control systems, Optical amplifiers, Sensors, Relays

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 July 2009

Interferometric adaptive optics for high-power laser pointing and wavefront control and phasing

Kevin Baker, Eddy Stappaerts, Doug Homoelle, Mark Henesian, Erlan Bliss, Craig Siders, Christopher Barty

JM3, Vol. 8, Issue 03, 033040, (July 2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.3167840

KEYWORDS: Interferometry, Adaptive optics, Microelectromechanical systems, National Ignition Facility, Wavefronts, Laser beam diagnostics, Wavefront sensors, Mirrors, High power lasers, Optical simulations

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Proceedings Article | 24 February 2009 Paper

Paper

Interferometric adaptive optics for high-power laser pointing, wavefront control, and phasing

K. Baker, E. Stappaerts, D. Homoelle, M. Henesian, E. Bliss, C. Siders, C. P. J. Barty

Proceedings Volume 7209, 720907 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.816574

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Microelectromechanical systems, Interferometry, Adaptive optics, National Ignition Facility, Laser beam diagnostics, Photons, Mirrors, Beam splitters, Cameras

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 December 2004

Alignment and wavefront control systems of the National Ignition Facility

Richard Zacharias, Neil Beer, Erlan Bliss, Scott Burkhart, Simon Cohen, Steven Sutton, R. Van Atta, Scott Winters, Joseph Thaddeus Salmon, Milton Latta, Christopher Stolz, David Pigg, Timothy Arnold

OE, Vol. 43, Issue 12, (December 2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1815331

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Control systems, Sensors, Mirrors, Actuators, Optical amplifiers, Optical alignment, Optical engineering

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Proceedings Article | 4 November 2004 Paper

Paper

Accurate position sensing of defocused beams using simulated beam templates

Abdul Awwal, James Candy, Chris Haynam, Clifford Widmayer, Erlan Bliss, Scott Burkhart

Proceedings Volume 5556, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.563653

KEYWORDS: Optical simulations, Phase only filters, Electronic filtering, Diffraction, Image segmentation, National Ignition Facility, Modulation, Device simulation, Optical pattern recognition, Optical alignment

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Proceedings Article | 28 May 2004 Paper

Paper

National Ignition Facility alignment and wavefront control

Richard Zacharias, Neil Beer, Erlan Bliss, Scott Burkhart, Simon Cohen, Steven Sutton, R. Van Atta, Scott Winters, Joseph Salmon, Christopher Stolz, David Pigg, Timothy Arnold

Proceedings Volume 5341, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.538469

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Control systems, Sensors, Actuators, Mirrors, Optical amplifiers, Reticles, Laser systems engineering, Deformable mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 3 April 2000 Paper

Paper

Wavefront control of high-power laser beams in the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

Richard Zacharias, Erlan Bliss, Scott Winters, Richard Sacks, Mark Feldman, Andrew Grey, Jeffrey Koch, Christopher Stolz, John Toeppen, Lewis Van Atta, Bruce Woods

Proceedings Volume 3889, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.380902

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Control systems, Actuators, Sensors, Mirrors, High power lasers, Computing systems, Coating, Deformable mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 11 November 1999 Paper

Paper

Alignment and diagnostics of the National Ignition Facility laser system

Robert Boyd, Erlan Bliss, Steven Boege, Robert Demaret, Mark Feldman, Alan Gates, Fred Holdener, J. Hollis, Carl Knopp, Tom McCarville, Victoria Miller-Kamm, W. Rivera, J. Thaddeus Salmon, J. Severyn, Calvin Thompson, David Wang, Richard Zacharias

Proceedings Volume 3782, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.369229

KEYWORDS: Diagnostics, Sensors, Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Wavefront sensors, Spatial filters, Laser systems engineering, Control systems, Deformable mirrors, Optical amplifiers

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Proceedings Article | 23 July 1999 Paper

Paper

Design progress for the National Ignition Facility laser alignment and beam diagnostics

Erlan Bliss, Steven Boege, Robert Boyd, Donald Davis, Robert Demaret, Mark Feldman, Alan Gates, Fred Holdener, Carl Knopp, R. Kyker, C. Lauman, Tom McCarville, John Miller, Victoria Miller-Kamm, W. Rivera, J. Thaddeus Salmon, J. Severyn, Sang Sheem, Stan Thomas, Calvin Thompson, David Wang, M. Yoeman, Richard Zacharias, Clifford Chocol, J. Hollis, Daniel Whitaker, J. Brucker, L. Bronisz, T. Sheridan

Proceedings Volume 3492, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354244

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Diagnostics, Prototyping, National Ignition Facility, Spatial filters, Optical alignment, Control systems, Wavefronts, Light sources, CCD image sensors

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Proceedings Article | 23 July 1999 Paper

Paper

Application of adaptive optics for controlling the NIF laser performance and spot size

Richard Sacks, Jerome Auerbach, Erlan Bliss, Mark Henesian, Janice Lawson, Kenneth Manes, P. Renard, J. Thaddeus Salmon, John Trenholme, Wade Williams, Scott Winters, Richard Zacharias

Proceedings Volume 3492, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354146

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Actuators, Adaptive optics, Optical amplifiers, Mirrors, Sensors, Beam splitters, Cobalt, Beam shaping

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Proceedings Article | 23 July 1999 Paper

Paper

National Ignition Facility (NIF) wavefront control system

Richard Zacharias, Erlan Bliss, Mark Feldman, Andrew Grey, Mark Henesian, Jeffrey Koch, Janice Lawson, Richard Sacks, J. Thaddeus Salmon, John Toeppen, Lewis Van Atta, Scott Winters, Bruce Woods, Carlo Lafiandra, Donald Bruns

Proceedings Volume 3492, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354181

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Control systems, Sensors, Actuators, Deformable mirrors, Mirrors, Wavefront sensors, Control systems design, Near field optics

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Proceedings Article | 19 July 1999 Paper

Paper

Wavefront control system for the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

Richard Zacharias, Erlan Bliss, Mark Feldman, Andrew Grey, Jeffrey Koch, Richard Sacks, John Toeppen, Lewis Van Atta, Scott Winters, Bruce Woods

Proceedings Volume 3749, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354735

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, National Ignition Facility, Control systems, Wavefront sensors, Control systems design, Laser applications, Optics manufacturing, Computing systems, Sensors, Interferometers

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The use of lasers as the driver for inertial confinement fusion experiments and weapons physics applications is based on their ability to produce high-energy short pulses in a beam with low divergence. Indeed, the focusability of high quality laser beams far exceeds alternate technologies and is a major factor in the rationale for building lasers for such applications The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a large 192-beam laser facility now under construction at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for fusion and weapons physics experiments. Its uncorrected focal spot minimum size is limited by wavefront aberrations in the laser system. NIF is designed with a wavefront control system to correct these aberrations to yield a focal spot that is small enough for NIF' s intended applications. Sources of aberrations to be corrected include prompt pump-induced distortions in the laser amplifiers, thermal distortions in the amplifiers from previous shots, beam off-axis effects, and gravity, mounting, and coating-induced optic distortions. Aberrations from gas density variations and manufacturing figure errors in the optics are also partially corrected by the wavefront control system. The NIF wavefront control system consists of five subsystems for each of the 192 beams: 1) a deformable mirror, 2) a wavefront sensor, 3) a computer controller, 4) a wavefront reference system, and 5) a rapid reconfiguration system to allow the wavefront control system to operate to within one second of the laser shot. The system includes the capability for in situ calibrations and operates in closed loop prior to the shot. Shot wavefront data is recorded. This paper describes the function, realization, and performance of each wavefront control subsystem. Subsystem performance will be characterized by computer models and by test results. The focal spot improvement in the NIF laser system effected by the wavefront control system will be characterized through computer models. The sensitivity of the target focal spot to various aberration sources will be presented. Analyses to optimize the wavefront control system will also be presented.

Proceedings Article | 8 December 1997 Paper

Paper

Wavefront correction for static and dynamic aberrations to within 1 second of the system shot in the NIF Beamlet demonstration facility

Robert Hartley, Michael Kartz, William Behrendt, Andy Hines, George Pollock, Erlan Bliss, J. Thaddeus Salmon, Scott Winters, Bruno Van Wonterghem, Richard Zacharias

Proceedings Volume 3047, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294315

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Control systems, Camera shutters, National Ignition Facility, Optical amplifiers, Polarization, Attenuators, Diagnostics, Optical filters

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Proceedings Article | 8 December 1997 Paper

Paper

Beam control and diagnostic functions in the NIF transport spatial filter

Fred Holdener, Elden Ables, Erlan Bliss, Steven Boege, Robert Boyd, Clifford Chocol, Donald Davis, Robert Demaret, R. Edward English, Curt Laumann, John Miller, Stan Thomas

Proceedings Volume 3047, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294245

KEYWORDS: Diagnostics, Spatial filters, Reticles, Sensors, National Ignition Facility, Near field optics, Beam controllers, Optical amplifiers, Light sources, Optical alignment

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Proceedings Article | 8 December 1997 Paper

Paper

NIF pointing and centering systems and target alignment using a 351-nm laser source

Steven Boege, Erlan Bliss, Clifford Chocol, Fred Holdener, John Miller, John Toeppen, Charles Vann, Richard Zacharias

Proceedings Volume 3047, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294311

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Reticles, Mirrors, Automatic alignment, Beam shaping, Cameras, National Ignition Facility, Spatial filters, Near field, Light sources

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Proceedings Article | 8 December 1995 Paper

Paper

Use of an intermediate wavelength laser for alignment to inertial confinement fusion targets

R. Edward English, Lynn Seppala, Charles Vann, Erlan Bliss

Proceedings Volume 2633, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228313

KEYWORDS: Spatial filters, National Ignition Facility, Optical alignment, Laser systems engineering, Reflectivity, Mirrors, Optical amplifiers, Pulsed laser operation, Laser amplifiers, Refraction

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Proceedings Article | 8 December 1995 Paper

Paper

Laser chain alignment with low-power local light sources

Erlan Bliss, Mark Feldman, James Murray, Charles Vann

Proceedings Volume 2633, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228285

KEYWORDS: Light sources, National Ignition Facility, Mirrors, Near field, Near field optics, Spatial filters, Optical alignment, Fiber lasers, Optical amplifiers, Reliability

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Proceedings Article | 8 December 1995 Paper

Paper

Adaptive optics system for solid state laser systems used in inertial confinement fusion

J. Thaddeus Salmon, Erlan Bliss, Jerry Byrd, Mark Feldman, Michael Kartz, John Toeppen, Bruno Van Wonterghem, Scott Winters

Proceedings Volume 2633, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228319

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Optical amplifiers, Adaptive optics, Sensors, Deformable mirrors, National Ignition Facility, Diagnostics, Actuators, Turbulence, Frequency converters

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Proceedings Article | 28 May 1993 Paper

Paper

Laser beam control and diagnostic systems for the copper-pumped dye laser system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Erlan Bliss, Roger Peterson, J. Thaddeus Salmon, Richard Thomas

Proceedings Volume 1859, (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.145491

KEYWORDS: Wavefronts, Control systems, Mirrors, Isotope separation, Sensors, Diagnostics, Dye lasers, Deformable mirrors, Laser systems engineering, Diodes

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Proceedings Article | 10 December 1992 Paper

Paper

Design and performance of an automated video-based laser-beam alignment system

William Rundle, Michael Kartz, Erlan Bliss, R. Edward English, Roger Peterson, Gary Thompson, Dennis Uhlich

Proceedings Volume 1752, (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.130716

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Control systems, Optical alignment, Mirrors, Cameras, Image processing, CCD image sensors, Video, Lithium, Laser systems engineering

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Proceedings Article | 13 January 1992 Paper

Paper

Zonal deformable mirror for laser wavefront control

Charles Swift, John Bergum, Erlan Bliss, F. Allen House, Marcus Libkind, J. Thaddeus Salmon, Carolyn Weinzapfel

Proceedings Volume 1543, (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.51173

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Ferroelectric materials, Wavefronts, Deformable mirrors, Finite element methods, Optical components, Glasses, Actuators, Chemical elements, Distortion

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Proceedings Article | 1 December 1991 Paper

Paper

Real-time wavefront correction system using a zonal deformable mirror and a Hartmann sensor

J. Thaddeus Salmon, Erlan Bliss, Theresa Long, Edward Orham, Robert Presta, Charles Swift, Richard Ward

Proceedings Volume 1542, (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48829

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Deformable mirrors, Mirrors, Wavefronts, Actuators, Ferroelectric materials, Adaptive optics, Photodiodes, Interferometers, Wavefront sensors

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Proceedings Article | 1 November 1991 Paper

Paper

Video Hartmann wavefront diagnostic that incorporates a monolithic microlens array

John Toeppen, Erlan Bliss, Theresa Long, J. Thaddeus Salmon

Proceedings Volume 1544, (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.49389

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Wavefronts, Video, Collimation, Optical filters, Video processing, Telescopes, Cameras, Lenses, Microlens array

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 October 1990

Deformable mirror for zigzag solid-state lasers

Charles Swift, Erlan Bliss, David Lenz, Richard Miller

OE, Vol. 29, Issue 10, (October 1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/12.55716

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Ferroelectric materials, Deformable mirrors, Phase measurement, Solid state lasers, Coating, Optical amplifiers, Laser systems engineering, Finite element methods, Interferometers

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Showing 5 of 29 publications

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