LPS Colloquium on Plasma Science & Application featuring Dr. Jonathan Zuegel

Description

Broadband OPA Technology for Ultrashort and Incoherent Laser Pulses

Dr. Jonathan D. Zuegel
Laser and Materials Technology Division Director, and Distinguished Scientist, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Dr. Zuegel will provide an overview of optical parametric amplification (OPA) technology for producing ultrashort or incoherent laser pulses used for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high-energy density (HED) research. Broadband OPAs support femtosecond laser pulses that can be used to probe ICF/HED experimental conditions, either directly or using laser-driven secondary radiation sources, such as high-energy particles (electrons, ions) or photons (ranging from THz to gamma rays). OPAs configured to amplify incoherent waves promise an approach to overcome laser-plasma instabilities and degrade laser-driven ICF/HED experiments. The seminar will introduce the technologies associated with both applications, and envision promising future applications, including 100-PW class laser systems for basic research and MJ-class lasers for inertial fusion energy.

Host: Gennady Shvets

 Open talk with students - 120 Physical Sciences Building , 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.          

Join us for a reception before the talk from 4:00 until 4:15 p.m.

About the speaker:Professor Jonathan D. Zuegel serves as the Laser and Materials Technology Division Director, a Distinguished Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), and a Professor of Optics at the Institute of Optics, University of Rochester. Zuegel led the Laser Development and Engineering Division from 2014–2019 and the Laser Technology Development Group from 2001–2014. He is a Fellow of Optica (formerly OSA) and serves/has served in numerous capacities of conferences (CLEO, ICUIL, Optica topical meetings) and international advisory committees. He joined LLE in 1996 after receiving his Ph.D. in Optics from The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. He received degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University (B.S. ’83 and M. Eng. ’84) and served in the U.S. Navy in the Department of Energy, Division of Naval Reactors. He has authored or co-authored more than 130 papers and 270 conference presentations.