A research effort performed by the Target Fabrication Group has developed a method for producing precision, meso-scale gold support rings for laser targets. Many different laser targets consist of planar components that are built upon a gold support ring, such as the HyDiv and RadG targets. Because of the sequence in which laser targets such as these must be built to achieve the required overall precision, the washer-shaped support rings must fit precisely onto fixtures that are used throughout the manufacturing process. Because the support ring is the fundamental structure onto which the target is built, any imprecision in the support ring propagates through the entire target. Thus, even if the physics performance of a laser target does not require a flat and precise support ring, the manufacturing methods used to achieve the overall level of precision demanded in the targets rely heavily on the precision of the support rings. Past efforts to purchase gold support rings from outside vendors have been either extremely costly, or the vendors were unable to deliver acceptable parts. On several occasions, difficulties in obtaining acceptable support rings in a timely manner have compromised the ability to manufacture and deliver targets in time for the shot dates. Because of the nature of laser target campaigns, where target designs are often finalized only a few months, or even weeks, before the shot date, it is often risky to rely on external vendors to supply these components. The risk can be eliminated with a manufacturing method that makes it reasonable to fabricate precision support rings ourselves. This document describes a manufacturing plan that was developed by the Target Fabrication Group for mass producing precision gold support rings that meet the requirements necessary for fabricating precise laser targets in a timely manner.
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