Evaluating the accuracy of optical-streak-camera sweep rates using uncertain data

A number of optical streak cameras are routinely operated for experiments at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Nova laser facility. We report results from a study of the accuracy and reproducibility of the sweep rate. The sweep rates, measured using a 3 GHz pulse generator, vary by ±1.3% rms for data collected routinely over a several month period. Using statistical analysis, we develop an analytic model describing the effect of noise on our measurement technique in order to estimate the actual variation in the sweep rate. Numerical simulations of the effect of noise on the uncertainty of our measurement technique show close agreement with the model. By applying this model, we estimate that the sweep rate is reproducible to at least ±1.2%, and that the measurement technique contributes ±0.5% uncertainty. Other data are presented which support this estimate