We are delighted to welcome Professor Paul McKenna to the school as part of our 2024-25 Sir Harrie Massey Colloquia Series.

Professor McKenna will deliver a lecture titled 'Advances in Laser-Driven Ion Acceleration and Relativistic Plasma Control'. An abstract and biography can be found below.

Abstract:

Over the past two decades, laser-driven ion acceleration has emerged as a powerful approach for a wide range of applications, from radiobiology and future cancer therapies to materials testing under extreme radiation conditions. However, realising the full potential of these applications requires precise control and enhanced stability of the accelerated ion beams.

In this talk, I will present recent advances in utilising laser-produced relativistic plasmas for ion acceleration, focusing on acceleration mechanisms explored by my group. I will also introduce the concept of relativistic plasma apertures—an innovative method for shaping and controlling ultra-intense structured light and relativistic particle beams. Additionally, I will discuss progress in high-repetition-rate laser-ion acceleration using the 350 TW laser at the Scottish Centre for the Applications of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA) and the integration of machine learning techniques to optimise ion acceleration.

Biography:

Paul McKenna is a Distinguished Professor of Laser-Plasma Physics at the University of Strathclyde. He currently serves as Deputy Associate Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange, providing strategic leadership in the University's preparations for REF 2029 and overseeing institutional postgraduate researcher funding awards. Previously, he was Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Science and, before that, Head of the Department of Physics (2018–2021).

Paul earned his BSc in Physics and PhD from Queen’s University Belfast in 1997 and 2000, respectively, and has since focused on high power laser-plasma interaction research. He leads a group exploring ultra-intense laser-plasma physics, including laser-driven ion acceleration, radiation source development, and relativistic plasma optics.

Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2021, he also holds advisory roles for multiple national and international high-power laser facilities.