Extreme Light
New in 2026, Extreme Light focuses on the ways that breakthrough laser technologies and facilities are transforming the generation and utilization of light at the fastest timescales, shortest wavelengths and highest intensities. Thus, unlocking new frontiers for both fundamental physics and novel applications.
The Extreme Light theme brings together experts from academia and industry to showcase the latest advances - from high-energy lasers and petawatt facilities, to XFELs and attosecond spectroscopies, to laser-driven fusion and high-energy-density physics. Join us to explore emerging trends and opportunities, including industrial and scientific applications.
Theme Coordinators
Robert Kaindl, Arizona State University, USASterling Backus, Thorlabs Colorado Center for Innovation, USA
Giacomo Coslovich, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, USA
Csaba Toth, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
Visionary Speaker
Dr. Félicie Albert, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA
Talk Title: Extreme Light for Discovery Science: Opportunities at LaserNetUS
Invited Speakers
Gaia Barbiero, TRUMPF Scientific Laser GmbH + Co KG, Germany
Optical Challenges in Ultrafast Fusion Lasers
Adam Borzsonyi, ELI-ALPS, Hungary
Approaching kW-class λ3 regime at ELI ALPS
Zenghu Chang, University of Ottawa, Canada
Title to be Announced
Nicholas Matlis, Arizona State University, USA
Title to be Announced
Carmen Menoni, Colorado State University, USA
Extreme Optics for Extreme Laser Light
Stefan Scheuren, TRUMPF Scientific Laser GmbH + Co KG, Germany
High-Energy Nd:Glass Laser Development at TRUMPF Scientific Lasers
Davide Terzani, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
Laser Technologies for High-Energy Electron and Muon Beams and Radiation at BELLA
Louise Willingale, University of Michigan, USA
Title to be Announced
Jonathan Zuegel, University of Rochester, USA
Title to be Announced