Lauren McCollum (She/Her)

Current Research:

Transport and Characterisation of Advanced, Laser-driven Beams

Developing compact ‘all-optical’ ion accelerators using high power lasers has attracted significant interest internationally due to their broad applicative potential in science, industry and healthcare. The CLF is currently building the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC), which is aimed to provide a step-change in capability for laser-driven accelerator research in the UK as this facility will house a state-of-the-art 10 Hz Petawatt laser system.

My research aims to exploit the high repetition rate capability of the EPAC laser system in developing a robust and reliable source of laser-driven ions. I am working on designing the EPAC ion beamline for potential radiobiology investigations, as well as, developing ion diagnostics capable of operation at a high repetition rate, which are crucial for the commissioning of the high-intensity target area in EPAC. My research involves a strong collaboration between the CLF and QUB and contributes towards keeping the UK at the forefront of the development of high repetition-rate novel laser-plasma accelerators.

Biography:

Before beginning my PhD, I completed a 5-year integrated masters in Physics with a Year in Industry at Queen's University Belfast. My MSci project involved laser-driven ion acceleration simulations for ultrathin foils in the light-sail regime.

Research Interests:

• Beam transport and characterisation
• Laser-driven ion acceleration

Supervisors:

Professor Marco Borghesi and Dr Hamad Ahmed