Our website is currently under construction. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering; University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics Logo

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.

Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science &
Engineering Group Researchers

Dustin Froula.

Dustin Froula

Primary Appointment: Division Director
Secondary Appointment: Professor of Physics, Physics and Astronomy Department

B.S. Physics, 1998 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
M.S. Physics, 2000 from University of California at Davis
Ph.D. 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

Headshot Photo of Joshua Kendrick

Joshua Kendrick

Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

AS in Engineering Science, 2016 from Monroe Community College
BA in French Teaching, 1999 from University of Arizona

Laser–Plasma Interactions

David Turnbull

David Turnbull

Laser–Plasma Interactions Group Leader

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2007 from University of California at San Diego
M.A. Mechanical Engineering Applied & Plasma Physics, 2009 from Princeton University
Ph.D. 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

Phil Nilson

Philip Nilson

Senior Scientist

(585) 275-9527

Ph.D. Physics, Imperial College London, UK
M.Phys. Physics, University of Warwick, 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

Dana Edgell

Dana Edgell

Senior Scientist

B.Sc. Applied Physics, 1985 from University of Waterloo
M.S. Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, 1987 from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. Engineering Physics, 1997 from University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Interests: Laser–plasma interactions and cross-beam energy transfer in direct-drive fusion

Arnaud Colaitis

Arnaud Colaïtis

Staff Scientist

M.Sc. in Physics, 2010 from Imperial College London, United Kingdom
M.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering, 2010 from ENSICA, Toulouse, France
Ph D. 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

Russ Follett

Russell Follett

Staff Scientist

Ph.D. Plasma Physics, University of Rochester
M.A. Plasma Physics, University of Rochester
B.S. Physics, Colorado State University

Research Interests: Numerical simulation of laser–plasma interactions for inertial confinement fusion applications; optical Thomson scattering

Russell Follett’s Bio

Dillon Ramsey

Dillon Ramsey

Staff Scientist

B.S. Physics and Mathematics, 2018, SUNY Geneseo
M.S. Physics and Astronomy, 2020, University of Rochester
Ph.D. Physics and Astronomy, 2023, University of Rochester

Rahul Shah.

Rahul Shah

Staff Scientist

B.S. Electrical Engineering, 1999 from University of Pittsburgh
M.S. Electrical Engineering, 2001 from University of Michigan
Ph.D. 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.

Han Wen

Han Wen

Scientist

Ph.D University of Rochester
M.S. University of Rochester
B.S. University of Science and Technology of China

Research Interests: Laser–plasma interaction theory and numerical modeling, high-energy-density physics, high-performance computing

Han Wen’s Bio

Laser–Plasma Physics

John Palastro

John Palastro

Primary Appointment: Senior Scientist
Secondary Appointment: Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering & Institute of Optics

Ph.D. Physics, University of Maryland, College Park
B.S. Applied Mathematics, Clemson University

Research Interests: Short- and long-pulse laser–matter interactions, plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources

John Palastro’s Bio

Kyle Miller

Kyle Miller

Assistant Scientist

B.S. in Physics, 2015 from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
M.S. in Physics, 2016 from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Ph.D. Physics, 2022 from University of California at Los Angeles

Kale Weichman

Kale Weichman

Assistant Scientist

Ph.D. Engineering Physics, University of California San Diego
B.S. Nuclear Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests: Relativistic short pulse laser–plasma interaction, plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources

Kale Weichman’s Bio

Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments

Hans Rinderknecht

Hans Rinderknecht

Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments Group Leader

Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy Department

B.A. in Physics, 2008 from Princeton University
Ph.D. 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

Jeremy Pigeon

Jeremy Pigeon

Scientist

B.S. in Physics and B.S. in Health Physics, 2008 from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 2013 from University of California at Los Angeles
Ph.D. 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

Anthony Raymond

Anthony Raymond

Scientist

B.S. in Physics & B.S. in Mathematics, 2011 from Tarleton State University
M.S. in Applied Physics, 2013 from University of Michigan
Ph.D. in Applied Physics, 2016 from University of Michigan

Research Interests: Relativistic laser-plasma interactions, inertial confinement fusion, nonlinear optics, plasma diagnostics

Jessica Shaw

Jessica Shaw

Scientist

B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering Villanova 2010
B.A. in Physics, 2010 from Villanova University
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, 2013 from University of California at Los Angeles
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, 2016 from University of California at Los Angeles

Research Interests: Short-pulse laser–plasma interactions, laser wakefield acceleration, and betatron sources

Mervin Lim Pac Chong

Research Engineer

B.S. Optics, 2021 from Institute of Optics at University of Rochester

Ultrafast Laser-Plasma Diagnostics

Bob Boni

Robert Boni

Senior Research Engineer

B.S. Physics, 1979 from the University of Rochester

Research Interests: Advanced diagnostic development, optical modeling, electron-optics, x-ray,
and optical streak cameras

Bill Donaldson

William Donaldson

Primary Appointment: Senior Scientist
Secondary Appointment: Materials Science

B.S. Physics & Mathematics, 1976 from Carnegie-Mellon University
Ph.D 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

Dan Haberberger

Dan Haberberger

Staff Scientist

B.S. Electrical Engineering, 2005 from University of Texas at Austin
M.S. Electrical Engineering, 2008 from University of California at Los Angeles
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, 2012 from University of California at Los Angeles

Research Interests: Short-pulse laser–plasma interactions, laser-driven ion acceleration, and Raman amplification

Marco Romo-Gonzalez

Marco Romo-Gonzalez

Deputy Diversity Manager, Research Engineer

B.S. in Physics and B. A. in Ethnic Studies from California State University Stanislaus