Physics Colloquium - Paint Branch Lecture

Date
Thu, Sep 19, 2019 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
1101 A. James Clark Hall

Description



Donna Strickland, University of Waterloo
2018 Nobel Laureate

Title: From Nonlinear Optics to High- Intensity Laser Physics
The laser increased the intensity of light that can be generated by orders of magnitude and thus brought about nonlinear optical interactions with matter. Chirped pulse amplification, also known as CPA, changed the intensity level by a few more orders of magnitude and helped usher in a new type of laser-matter interaction that is referred to as high-intensity laser physics. In this talk, I will discuss the differences between nonlinear optics and high-intensity laser physics. The development of CPA and why short, intense laser pulses can cut transparent material will also be included. I will also discuss future applications.

The Paint Branch Distinguished Lecture in Applied Physics