Creating innovative laser-plasma science through education,
impactful publications, novel advancements, and community engagement
For more information about PULSE or student opportunities contact Dustin Froula or one of the scientists in the division.
BS Physics, 1998 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
MS Physics, 2000 from University of California at Davis
PhD Physics, 2002 from University of California at Davis
Research Interests: Basic plasma physics, laser–plasma interactions, Thomson scattering, and advanced optical diagnostics
Dustin Froula's Bio
MPhys Physics, University of Warwick, UK
PhD Physics, Imperial College London, UK
Research Interests: High-energy-density physics; intense radiation–matter interactions; plasma spectroscopy;
shock waves and high-temperature hydrodynamic phenomena; hydrodynamic instability growth; magnetic fields;
inertial confinement fusion
Philip Nilson's Bio
BS Mechanical Engineering, 2007 from University of California at San Diego
MA Mechanical Engineering Applied & Plasma Physics, 2009 from Princeton University
PhD Mechanical Engineering Applied & Plasma Physics, 2013 from Princeton University
Research Interests: Laser–plasma interactions, plasma photonics, inertial confinement fusion, and plasma physics
David Turnbull's Bio
BSc Applied Physics, 1985 from University of Waterloo
MS Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, 1987 from University of Wisconsin-Madison
PhD Engineering Physics, 1997 from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests: Laser–plasma interactions and cross-beam energy transfer in direct-drive fusion
MSc in Physics, 2010 from Imperial College London, United Kingdom
MSc in Aeronautical Engineering, 2010 from ENSICA, Toulouse, France
PhD in Astrophysics, Plasmas, Nuclear physics from Université de Bordeaux, France
Research Interests: Inertial Confinement Fusion, Numerical Methods, Laser-Plasma Interactions, Particle Transport, Magneto-Hydrodynamics and High Performance Computing
BS Physics, Colorado State University
MA Plasma Physics, University of Rochester
PhD Plasma Physics, University of Rochester
Research Interests: Numerical simulation of laser–plasma interactions for inertial confinement fusion applications; optical Thomson scattering
Russell Follett's Bio
BS Electrical Engineering, 2005 from University of Texas at Austin
MS Electrical Engineering, 2008 from University of California at Los Angeles
PhD Electrical Engineering, 2012 from University of California at Los Angeles
Research Interests: Short-pulse laser–plasma interactions, laser-driven ion acceleration, and Raman amplification
BS Physics & Mathematics, 2015 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
PhD Physics, 2021 from University of Rochester
Research Interests: Laser-plasma interaction, kinetic plasma physics, ponderomotive forces, optical Thomson scattering, and optical diagnostic development
Avram Milder's Bio
BS Electrical Engineering, 1999 from University of Pittsburgh
MS Electrical Engineering, 2001 from University of Michigan
PhD Electrical Engineering, 2005 from University of Michigan
Research Interests: Direct-drive implosion symmetry, break-up and hot-spot thermal conditions (primarily with x-ray based diagnostics). Laser coupling and coronal conditions in direct-drive implosions for robust ignition.
BS Applied Mathematics, Clemson University
PhD Physics, University of Maryland, College Park
Research Interests: Short- and long-pulse laser–matter interactions, plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources
John Palastro's Bio
BS Nuclear Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
PhD Engineering Physics, University of California San Diego
Research Interests: Relativistic short pulse laser–plasma interaction, plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources
Kale Weichman's Bio
BA in Physics, 2008 from Princeton University
PhD in Plasma Physics, 2015 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Interests: Laser-driven fusion, kinetic plasma physics, plasma nuclear physics, and relativistic laser–plasma interactions
Hans Rinderknecht's Bio
BS in Physics & B.S. in Mathematics, 2011 from Tarleton State University
MS in Applied Physics, 2013 from University of Michigan
PhD in Applied Physics, 2016 from University of Michigan
Research Interests: Relativistic laser-plasma interactions, inertial confinement fusion, nonlinear optics, plasma diagnostics
BS Civil and Environmental Engineering Villanova 2010
BA in Physics, 2010 from Villanova University
MS in Electrical Engineering, 2013 from University of California at Los Angeles
PhD in Electrical Engineering, 2016 from University of California at Los Angeles
Research Interests: Short-pulse laser–plasma interactions, laser wakefield acceleration, and betatron sources
BS in Physics and BS in Health Physics, 2008 from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
MS in Electrical Engineering, 2013 from University of California at Los Angeles
PhD in Electrical Engineering, 2017 from University of California at Los Angeles
Research Interests: Nonlinear optics of gases and semiconductors, picosecond gas lasers, laser-drive ion acceleration, high-power laser sources
Jeremy Pigeon's Bio
BS Physics & Mathematics, 1976 from Carnegie-Mellon University
PhD Electrical Engineering 1984, from Cornell University
Research Interests: Physics of photoconductive switches, streak-camera development, the optical response of high-temperature superconductors, optical semiconductor diagnostics, electro-optic characterization of electronic circuits, laser patterning of surfaces, and the florescence of biological molecules
MS in Engineering Physics, 2018 from Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico
PhD in Engineering Physics 2024 from Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico
Research Interests: Structured light, high-harmonic generation, ultrafast optics, x-ray optics