Stark Laser-Plasma Physics
Stark Laser-Plasma Physics Group
Led by David J. Stark in the Department of Physics at William & Mary, our group uses plasma theory and large-scale computer simulations to study how intense laser pulses interact with matter. We investigate how laser-driven plasmas control light, accelerate particles, generate magnetic fields and radiation, and influence fusion-relevant physics.
Our Research
Plasma optics
How can a plasma focus, guide, or change the polarization of an intense laser pulse? We study relativistic transparency and plasma-based optical control.
Particle acceleration
We investigate how laser-driven plasmas accelerate ions and how target design can improve proton-beam energy, collimation, and conversion efficiency.
Fusion and laser-plasma interactions
We study how plasma waves and instabilities redistribute laser energy, and develop models that connect kinetic physics to fusion simulations.
Magnetic fields and radiation
We investigate how laser-driven electron currents generate intense magnetic fields and high-energy radiation, and how structured targets can control magnetic-field generation and gamma-ray emission.
How we study plasmas
We combine plasma theory with high-performance computing to investigate laser-driven plasmas. Particle-in-cell simulations, including simulations with EPOCH, let us follow the coupled motion of particles and electromagnetic fields. We use Python, MATLAB, and scientific visualization to analyze the results, identify physical mechanisms, and develop models that explain the simulations.
Selected Publications
Enhanced gamma-ray generation and collimation in laser-plasma interactions via a cone-channel target design
S. Chintalwad and D. J. Stark. Physics of Plasmas 32, 083106 (2025).
Kilotesla magnetic field generation via ultraintense laser interaction with hollow microcapsule
S. Chintalwad and D. J. Stark. Physical Review E 112, 015212 (2025).
Nonlinear models for coupling the effects of stimulated Raman scattering to inertial confinement fusion codes
D. J. Stark et al. Physics of Plasmas 30, 042714 (2023).
Explore selected papers on laser-plasma interactions, particle acceleration, magnetic fields, and fusion modeling. See our Publications page for representative work and links to the full publication list.