Hans Rinderknecht

Hans Rinderknecht serves as an Assistant Professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Rochester and leads research at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). Appointed as the founding group leader of the Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments group in 2020, he directs cutting-edge investigations into high-energy-density physics and fusion energy science.

• AB in Physics with honors, Princeton University (2008)
• PhD in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015)

His research centers on experimental plasma physics with emphases on relativistic laser-plasma interactions, kinetic effects in fusion plasmas, and high-energy-density matter. Key initiatives include studies of relativistic transparency, magnetic filament electron acceleration, mega-Tesla fields, collisionless shocks, and secondary radiation sources like gamma flashes and THz pulses. His diagnostic development work spans charged particle imaging, ion-wave Thomson scattering, and high-repetition-rate systems for laser-driven experiments.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong focus on quantum electrodynamics in extreme laser fields, terahertz radiation generation from microchannel targets, inertial confinement fusion diagnostics, and laser wakefield acceleration techniques. His work leverages major facilities including OMEGA, OMEGA-EP, National Ignition Facility, and LaserNetUS platforms to advance fusion energy science and fundamental plasma physics.

• LLNL Deputy Director of Science and Technology Award (2021)
• NNSA Office of Defense Programs Award (2021)
• IOP Trusted Reviewer (2021)

Dr. Rinderknecht's research program is funded through the DOE Office of Fusion Energy Science INFUSE program and the NSF/DOE Partnership in Basic Plasma Science and Engineering. He directs experimental campaigns on OMEGA, OMEGA-EP, and MTW-OPAL laser systems while mentoring junior researchers in plasma diagnostics and fusion technology development. His group maintains active collaborations with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and TAE Technologies.

The Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments group operates dedicated target areas for relativistic interactions at LLE, including the Multi-Terawatt Optical Parametric Amplifier Line system. Current efforts focus on strong-field QED validation, dephasingless laser wakefield acceleration, and advanced THz source development using microchannel targets, with recent shot allocations at the Texas Petawatt Laser through LaserNetUS.