Terrance J. Kessler is Optical and Imaging Sciences Group Leader and a Senior Research Engineer at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics. He joined LLE in 1984 after receiving his MS degree in Optics from The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester and formed the Optics and Imaging Sciences group to support nuclear fusion research. His group has worked on the design and testing of high-peak-power lasers, laser coherence control, focal-spot zooming, and the development of phase plates, diffraction gratings, and other novel optical devices.
Early in his career, he coordinated the scientific and engineering staff at LLE to invent and implement a new beam-smoothing strategy, leading a team effort that produced the most-uniform target irradiance from a ultraviolet solid-state-laser to date. Subsequently, he served as chief scientist during the concept and design stages of the OMEGA-60 laser upgrade. Terry is author or co-author of numerous papers and conference presentations. He also has the distinction of being the co-inventor of three U.S. patents based on work performed at LLE. He also maintained teaching laboratories at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Imaging Departments in which he instructed and trained students in optics and holography for 20 years. Terry currently serves as Secretary of the International Committee on Ultra-High Intensity Lasers.