Lieselotte “Lotti” Obst-Huebl is a research scientist in the ATAP Division’s BELLA Center. Her research is focused on the relativistic interaction between ultra-high intensity laser pulses and plasmas. In experiments at the BELLA Petawatt Laser she investigates, for example, how ion beams generated in these interactions can be used for fundamental studies in radiobiology and high energy density science.
Dan Wang, a research scientist in the ATAP Division’s Berkeley Accelerator Controls and Instrumentation (BACI) Program, applies machine learning to the precision control of complex laser and accelerator systems. She also leads the impedance modeling and reduction program in the ALS-U project.
Drawing on a background that includes magnetic heat pumps, Reed Teyber works on a variety of topics in ATAP Division’s Superconducting Magnet Program relevant to high energy physics, fusion energy, and charged-particle therapy.
A recently completed upgrade will expand the BELLA Center’s capabilities into new areas, including studies of particle acceleration, extremely hot plasmas, cancer treatment techniques, and materials for quantum science.
The new experimental area, known as Interaction Point 2 (iP2), will use the lab’s petawatt laser to provide intense pulses of protons and ions – building on the center’s expertise in accelerating electrons and lower-energy protons.
Berkeley Lab Research Scientist Marlene Turner shares how plasma wakefield acceleration can help us in our everyday lives.