We lead a laboratory astrophysics project on the creation of laser-produced plasmas that mimic, to a large extent, those found in accretion-powered X-ray sources such as neutron star binaries and quasars.

In collaboration with the QUB’s Centre for Plasma Physics, this work makes extensive use of high-power laser facilities, including the VULCAN laser at the STFC Central Laser Facility, and the Orion laser at AWE Aldermaston. The latter is the most energetic laser available in the UK, delivering up to 5 kJ at 351 nm in 10 x 1 ns duration beams.

ARC Academic:

Prof. Francis Keenan