Ioan Dancus
28 July - 01 August 2025
Yerevan State University
Yerevan, Armenia
Events
Ioan Dancus
Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics Center (ELI-NP), Romania
Multi-Petawatt CPA Laser Systems
This lecture focuses on enhancing the temporal contrast of CPA high-power laser systems. Temporal contrast, critical in experiments involving thin solid targets, ensures precise interaction with the main laser pulse while preventing damage from pre-pulses. ELI-NP is a state-of-the-art facility hosting a dual-arm 10 PW laser system, making it a pivotal platform for ultrahigh-intensity experiments.
About the Speaker
Dr. Ioan Dăncuș is the Technical Director of the Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility in Bucharest, Romania. He holds a PhD in Physics, specializing in Nonlinear Optics, from the University of Bucharest and the National Institute for Lasers, Plasma, and Radiation Physics (INFLPR). With over 15 years of experience in high-power laser research, Dr. Dăncuș previously served as Head of the Laser System Department at ELI-NP and led the 1PW Laser Operation Team at INFLPR. He is an associated professor at the University “Politehnica” of Bucharest and West University of Timișoara, where he teaches High-Power Lasers and Extreme Light Physics.
Dr. Dăncuș's research focuses on advanced laser technologies, nonlinear optics, and nuclear photonics, with significant contributions to the development and optimization of ultra-high-power laser systems. His work includes pioneering studies on laser-matter interactions, high-intensity pulse propagation, and the generation of extreme light fields for nuclear physics applications. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, accumulating over 1,400 citations, reflecting his impact in the field.
As a key figure in the ELI-NP project, Dr. Dăncuș played a critical role in the design, development, and commissioning of the world’s first 10 PW laser system. He led efforts to ensure the system’s stability and precision, overcoming technical challenges in beam alignment, pulse compression, and energy amplification. His leadership was instrumental in achieving the milestone of 10 PW peak power laser pulses, enabling groundbreaking experiments in laser-driven nuclear physics, particle acceleration, and high-energy photon generation. His contributions have positioned ELI-NP as a global leader in ultra-intense laser research.
