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White Light Interferometry for the Optical Characterization of Transparent ICF Shells

R. B. Stephens, D. A. Steinman, M. L. Hoppe

Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 49 / Number 4 / May 2006 / Pages 646-649

Technical Paper / Target Fabrication / dx.doi.org/10.13182/FST06-A1180

White light interferometry has been adapted to the characterization of transparent ICF shells and their precursor mandrels. The combination of an interferometric microscope, a precision z-stage, and simulation-derived analysis algorithms allow determination of the diameters of the inner and outer surfaces, their non-concentricity, the location of interfacial layers, the average index of refraction of the walls, and the thickness of discrete layers within the shell wall. The hard- and soft-ware required for these measurements are described.