Application of Additive Manufacturing for Laser Target Fabrication

In order to produce laser targets for laser plasma experiments, the target department of Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique operates in different fields of production techniques. Additive manufacturing becomes an important manufacturing process to match quality, delay, and cost aims. In the short term, stereo lithography seems to be the most promising technology for laser target range applications. It is a quick and, in most of the cases, accurate solution to target assembly issues. This technology allows obtaining functional assembly tools as well as parts and components compatible with laser experiment. The actual limitations are about 100 mu m for tolerances and minimum wall thicknesses. A better resolution and a lower layer thickness could allow crossing these limitations. (authors)