Patch-MLP-Based Predictive Control: Simulation of Upstream Pointing Stabilization for PHELIX Laser System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Patch-MLP-based predictive control method for laser beam pointing stabilization, combining neural network forecasting with PID correction to improve stability and reduce jitter in high-energy laser systems.

Contribution

It presents a novel predictive control strategy using a Patch-MLP neural network to forecast beam errors and enhance stabilization in laser systems.

Findings

Reduces residual jitter compared to traditional PID control.

Maintains stable performance over 10 hours without drift.

Improves pointing stability by 10-20% in simulations.

Abstract

High-energy laser facilities such as PHELIX at GSI require excellent beam pointing stability for reproducibility and relative independence for future experiments. Beam pointing stability has been traditionally achieved using simple proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control which removes the problem of slow drift, but is limited because of the time delay in knowing the diagnosis and the inertia in the mechanical system associated with mirrors. In this work, we introduce a predictive control strategy where the forecasting of beam pointing errors is performed by a patch-based multilayer perceptron (Patch-MLP) designed to capture local temporal patterns for more robust short-term jitter prediction. The subsequent conversion of these predicted errors into correction signals is handled by a PID controller. The neural network has been trained on diagnostic time-series data to predict beam pointing error. Using the feed-forward controller compensates for system delays. Simulations with a correction mirror placed upstream of the PHELIX pre-amplifier bridge confirm that the predictive control scheme reduces residual jitter compared to conventional PID control. Over a 10-hour dataset the controller maintained stable performance without drift, while standard pointing metrics showed consistent improvements of the order of 10 to 20 percent. The predictive controller operates without drift, and therefore may improve reproducibility and operational efficiency in high energy, low repetition rate laser experiment conditions.