Laser Modeling Physicist

LLNL•Livermore, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Laser Modeling Physicist within our Laser Science and Systems Engineering Program to participate in the research, development, and modeling of advanced solid state laser technology, and high energy laser design for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) possibilities. You will perform design, modeling, and commissioning of cutting-edge laser technology development and potentially execute experiments to verify and validate advanced laser concepts relevant to ICF laser driver architectures, laser propagation/amplification, linear and nonlinear optics and laser matter interaction research. This position is in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD). In this role you will Contribute to the development of advanced laser physics and nonlinear optics models coupled with the existing LLNL beam propagation code VBL++ (Virtual Beam Line) running on both single and extreme parallel-processor high performance computers with the goal to optimize designs for NIF & Next Generation of High Energy Density (NG-HED) facilities and ICF-IFE architectures. Collaborate with the Computer Science team and provide solutions to experiments that will validate the physics captured in the thermo-mechanical codes used to predict the impact of thermal and mechanical effects on beam quality (wavefront and polarization) at the component level and at the system level, when coupled with VBL++. Work within a dynamic team environment to document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences. Utilize independent judgement along with scientific methods and techniques, contributing to the fulfillment of research and development in one or more of the following areas: Modeling and experimental testing of optical parametric short pulse amplifiers, chirped pulse amplification, solid state laser materials science, high-speed electro-optics devices, atmospheric beam propagation, frequency conversion and non-linear optics, and design of advanced laser architectures for NG-HED in support of National Security missions. Perform other duties as assigned. Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level Utilize in-depth analysis, contributing to the development of experimental campaigns to enhance NIF performance. Conduct technical tasks for advanced laser models using innovative methods and subject knowledge. Work includes expansion beyond the state of the VBL++ art (e.g., related to nonlinear stimulated processes, or nonlinear optics interaction in non-paraxial regime).

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Ph.D. in Optical Sciences, Physics, Engineering or Mathematics or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Comprehensive knowledge in experimental physics in one or more of the following areas: solid state lasers, laser cavities, short pulse laser technology, frequency conversion, non-linear optics, crystal optics, atmospheric beam propagation, thermo-mechanical finite-element calculations interfaced with optical performance.
Comprehensive problem solving, decision making, and analytical skills, necessary to anticipate, analyze, advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions to moderately complex to complex issues or laser designs.
Broad experience with MATLAB, Python and/or similar scripting and data analysis tools and the ability to write beam propagation, nonlinear optics, or amplification codes.
Broad experience and comprehensive knowledge in signal and image processing of laser diagnostics signals.
Broad experience with scientific research and development.
Proficient written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in short-pulse laser physics and nonlinear optics as applied to laser applications and operations.
Advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, decision making, and analytical skills necessary to anticipate, analyze, advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions to complex issues.
Advanced experience with scientific research and development.
Ability to augment laser physics, nonlinear optics modeling to increase VBL++ modeling capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of laser architectures, technological limitations, and machine safety aspects of large, distributed, high energy and high peak power laser facilities.
Experience in planning and directing work with technical objectives, estimating effort, and setting milestones.
Experience in the development of scientific software (ideally C++) applied to laser physics and nonlinear optics problems.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of advanced laser physics and nonlinear optics models coupled with the existing LLNL beam propagation code VBL++ (Virtual Beam Line) running on both single and extreme parallel-processor high performance computers with the goal to optimize designs for NIF & Next Generation of High Energy Density (NG-HED) facilities and ICF-IFE architectures.
Collaborate with the Computer Science team and provide solutions to experiments that will validate the physics captured in the thermo-mechanical codes used to predict the impact of thermal and mechanical effects on beam quality (wavefront and polarization) at the component level and at the system level, when coupled with VBL++.
Work within a dynamic team environment to document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
Utilize independent judgement along with scientific methods and techniques, contributing to the fulfillment of research and development in one or more of the following areas: Modeling and experimental testing of optical parametric short pulse amplifiers, chirped pulse amplification, solid state laser materials science, high-speed electro-optics devices, atmospheric beam propagation, frequency conversion and non-linear optics, and design of advanced laser architectures for NG-HED in support of National Security missions.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Utilize in-depth analysis, contributing to the development of experimental campaigns to enhance NIF performance.
Conduct technical tasks for advanced laser models using innovative methods and subject knowledge.
Work includes expansion beyond the state of the VBL++ art (e.g., related to nonlinear stimulated processes, or nonlinear optics interaction in non-paraxial regime).