To achieve success in high-energy-density (HED) and high-intensity-laser science and support the broad community of HEDS researchers, JLF’s laser platforms enable experimental research in a number of scientific and thematic areas.
The research areas include:
- High-field physics: Studying the plasma pairs present in several astrophysical processes, such as gamma-ray bursts and neutron star magnetospheres, aims to shed light on energy partition in astrophysical objects. Learn more about relativistic electron–positron pairs.
- Hydrodynamics and materials: Important for uncovering the properties of condensed matter under dynamic compression, advancing our knowledge of planetary science and astrophysics, as well as improving predictive capabilities for weapons effects. Learn more about creating and studying HED matter and equation of state research.
- Laser‒plasma interactions: Controlling and manipulating such interactions are essential to creating and extending the current range of HED conditions, realizing the full potential of laser-driven inertial fusion platforms, and exploring a new class of plasma-based optical components and techniques for the next generation of ultra-high intensity/power lasers. Learn more about long pulse and plasma photonics laser-plasma interactions.
- Nuclear physics and photonics: Applications of this field range from the fundamental understanding of our universe (Big Bang nucleosynthesis) to understanding fusion reactions for inertial confinement fusion/inertial fusion energy applications to industrial and national security applications with the interrogation of nuclear materials with high energy photon and particle sources. Learn more about photonics.
- Opacity, warm dense matter, and transport: Key to our understanding of stars, planetary interiors, and laboratory fusion experiments is how energy flows through dense matter and its influence on fundamental material properties such as temperature, pressure, and ionization. Learn more about opacity and charged-particle transport properties.
- Particle acceleration, secondary sources, and applications: Laser-driven sources provide a flexible, multimodal approach that enables scientists to develop a better understanding of materials science, from dynamic processes and changes to the impacts of aging and other characteristics of high-density materials. Learn more about laser-wakefield acceleration, relativistic electron-positron pairs, and particle acceleration.
JLF, with its unique strengths, abilities, and versatility, is one of the top laser facilities to address “big” science questions in these fields. For a more detailed overview on these research fields, reference the JLF Strategic Plan.
