Research Interest

Laser-Matter Interaction

The field of laser-matter interaction is bursting with exotic phenomena of rich physics and diverse applications. Over the past few decades, advancements in laser technology through the chirped pulse amplification technique have revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental processes occurring when an intense laser pulse interacts with matters. When a target (e.g., solid, gas, or liquid) is exposed to a highly intense laser pulse, it becomes ionized and forms plasma. The electromagnetic fields of the laser pulse then drive the plasma particles—electrons and ions—initiating several intriguing physical processes that depend crucially on the properties of the incident laser pulse and the target material. The dynamic interplay between laser pulses and matter has profound implications, ranging from fundamental research to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as high-energy tabletop particle accelerators, fusion energy, and advanced material processing. The interaction between lasers and solid targets has also demonstrated the generation of femtosecond X-ray sources. Furthermore, laser-plasma systems are being studied to explore laboratory astrophysics, pair production, radiation reactions, and other quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects.

My research focuses on the theoretical study and computational modeling of laser-matter interactions. Specifically, I investigate novel methods and configurations for efficient laser-plasma-based particle acceleration to generate high-quality, high-energy electron and ion beams using Particle-In-Cell simulations. Additionally, my research aims to uncover new mechanisms and underlying physics for generating electromagnetic radiation, such as terahertz pulses, higher harmonics, and betatron X-rays, based on tabletop laser-matter interaction setups. 

Strongly-Coupled Plasma

Strongly-coupled systems are characterized by their interaction potential energy exceeding the average thermal kinetic energy of their particles. Examples of such systems include dusty plasmas, colloidal suspensions, Yukawa systems, strongly coupled ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and ultra-cold plasmas. Among these, dusty plasmas are particularly unique due to their novel characteristics where individual particles can be traced by normal charge-coupled devices, and their dynamics can be seen even by unaided eyes. A dusty plasma system can be readily created in laboratory experiments by introducing micron or sub-micron-sized dust particles into a plasma medium. In this environment, the dust particles acquire a significant surface charge, forming a strongly coupled medium. The presence of charged dust grains not only disrupts the charge neutrality of the plasma but also introduces a rich variety of low-frequency dynamics, resulting in complex and intriguing features. The high charge on the dust particles causes their inter-particle potential energy to surpass their average thermal energy, making the dust particles behave as a strongly coupled medium. In this regime, dusty plasmas exhibit properties similar to those of soft matter, viscoelastic materials, and crystalline systems.

My research focuses on the dynamics of these strongly coupled charged micro-particle systems within the plasma environment. Specifically, I use Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate fascinating physical phenomena such as plasma crystal formation, phase transitions, strongly coupled dynamics, and the fundamental behavior of waves and instabilities at the molecular or atomic level.