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Abstract

An Extensive Diagnostic Suite Enables Cutting-edge Research at Trident The Trident Laser Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory is an extremely versatile Nd:glass laser system dedicated to high energy density physics research and fundamental laser-matter interactions. Trident's Unique Laser Capabilities Provide an Ideal Platform for Many Experiments. The laser system consists of three high energy beams which can be delivered into two independent target experimental areas. The target areas are equipped with an extensive suite of diagnostics for research in ultra-intense laser matter interactions, dynamic material properties, and laser-plasma instabilities. Several important discoveries and first observations have been made at Trident including laser-accelerated MeV mono-energetic ions, nonlinear kinetic plasma waves, transition between kinetic and fluid nonlinear behavior, as well as other fundamental laser-matter interaction processes. Trident's unique long-pulse capabilities have enabled state-of-the-art innovations in laser-launched flyer-plates, and other unique loading techniques for material dynamics research.