SDI Program: Evaluation of DOE's Answers to Questions on X-Ray Laser Experiment.

Abstract

The briefing report responds to a request that GAO review the Department of Energy's (DOE's) answers to a series of quest ions raised about the x-ray laser program which DOE is conducting for the Department of Defense's (DOD's) Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO). Many of these questions resulted from press reports, especially a November 12, l985 Los Angeles Times article. Essentially, GAO found the x-ray laser program is a research program with many unresolved issues. In their opinion, there was no flaw# in the diagnostic instrumentation as mentioned in the Los Angeles Times article. However, analysis of test data by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists raised questions about the accuracy of some experimental data. As a result, some diagnostic equipment was reconfigured. These unexpected measurement uncertainties are now much better understood. In the GAO's opinion, there was no need to delay the latest x-ray laser nuclear test.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA344835

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accounting
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diagnostic Equipment
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Experimental Data
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Weapons
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Military Applications
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • United States
  • Weapons
  • X Ray Lasers
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy