Helios CO2 fusion laser alignment system

This paper describes the alignment system for Helios, an eight-beam, CO2 laser which is now being used in studies involving compression and heating of deuterium-tritium filled glass spheres, 200 to 300 microns in diameter. These studies are directed towards determining the feasibility of laser-initiated fusion for commercial power generation. The laser system reached design-point output of 10 kilojoules at power in excess of 20 terawatts in June 1978