Large bandwidth in lasers for inertial confinement fusion is potentially capable of controlling laser-plasma instabilities. We have demonstrated the efficient generation of large bandwidth, DELTAnu/nu=2%, in a frequency-doubled Nd:glass laser at 527 nm, using stimulated rotational Raman scattering in atmospheric pressure nitrogen gas. Its use in a fusion laser would involve the use of a multilens array to produce multiple foci where the broadband conversion takes place. This technique is also effective for frequency tripled or quadrupled lasers at 351 or 263 nm.

The thermal conductance of copper-copper and copper-silicon interfaces has been measured between 85 K and 300 K. Bare surfaces and interfaces containing various thermal greases and thermally conductive elastomers have been evaluated. The use of thermal grease was found greatly to enhance thermal conductance of copper-copper interfaces at all temperatures. The use of thermal interface materials at the silicon-copper interface may or may not contribute tb thermal conductance throughout the entire temperature range owing to a glass transition in the grease materials and the shear force created between silicon and copper by the different thermal contraction of the two materials as temperature is reduced.