The High Power Laser Ablation (HPLA) Conference addresses all aspects of the interaction of lasers with condensed matter, from fundamental theory and simulations to material processing. Groundbreaking physics is discussed for its own sake, but we also devote some sessions, as appropriate, to recent advances in laser physics which are of use in applications.  In the past, these have ranged from femtosecond material processing to space propulsion.

 

Our overall goal is to bring together leading specialists in laser-materials interaction physics and laser science in a collegial atmosphere with all-plenary sessions. The range of topics is diverse, but the focus within each is on fundamental results.  Therefore, attendees can expect to learn about the very latest results at a depth usually reserved for specialist conferences, but in a broader range tied together by the physical phenomenon of high power laser ablation.  Because there is only time in our four-day format for a representative sample of forefront oral papers, the majority of papers are presented at our evening poster sessions, which have become a focus for the exchange of new ideas.

 

HPLA attendees are forefront specialists in the basic physics of laser-materials interactions, high-power lasers, materials science, femtosecond lasers and effects, beam propagation, beam forming, diagnostics and detection.  Attendees and presenters come from all over the globe.  The 2010 HPLA Conference was attended by representatives from Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.  The conference language is English.

 

Past keynote speakers have included luminaries such as Prof. Charles Townes, Prof. Yuri Raizer, Prof. Arthur Kantrowitz, Prof. Oleg Krokhin, Dr. Raymond Kidder, and Prof. Sadao Nakai.

 

2012 proposed topics for discussion:

• Fundamental Theory
• Simulations
• Femtosecond and Attosecond Effects
• Near-field Effects
• Nanoengineering
• Biomedical Applications
• Laser Ablation Propulsion
• Advances in oxygen-iodine and optically-pumped lasers
• Advances in promising new laser technologies (diode, alkali, etc.)
• PLD, MAPLE and Processing of Advanced Materials
• High Power Lasers Application and Diagnostics
• COIL, DOIL, EOIL and Other Unusual Sources
• Optically Pumped Lasers
• Physics of Laser Matter Interactions

The American Institute of Physics will publish the peer-reviewed papers after the Conference in an online book.  The e-book will have a volume number, an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) and will be registered in the Library of Congress.  The e-book can be purchased when you register.

 

On behalf of the entire Planning Committee, we look forward to seeing you in beautiful, historic Santa Fe in April / May 2012.