J. Ryan Rygg

Dr. J. Ryan Rygg is a Senior Scientist at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and an Assistant Professor of Research in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Physics and Astronomy. He holds a B.S. in Physics (2000) and M.S. in Electrical Engineering (2001) from Stanford University, followed by a Ph.D. in Physics (2006) from MIT. His research focuses on novel experimental platforms for High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP), with applications in astrophysics, basic science, and inertial confinement fusion. Key areas include shock compression of materials, x-ray diffraction diagnostics, and laser-driven experiments.

His work explores extreme conditions in materials, such as phase transitions in solids under terapascal pressures and dissociation in shock-compressed gases. He has contributed to advancements in x-ray scattering techniques, THz pulse generation, and fusion target design. Recent experiments have addressed challenges in inertial confinement fusion, achieving target gain exceeding unity and investigating symmetry control in implosions.

Rygg’s career includes a decade at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a postdoc and staff scientist before joining LLE. His research integrates experimental design, advanced diagnostics, and computational modeling to tackle open questions in high-energy-density regimes relevant to planetary science and fusion energy.