Louise Willingale

Dr. Louise Willingale is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. Specializing in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions, she leads experimental research at facilities including the ZEUS laser system and OMEGA EP. Her work combines experimental diagnostics with numerical modeling to advance understanding of relativistic plasma physics and ion acceleration mechanisms.

• Education: PhD in Physics from Imperial College London (2007)

Research Focus: Investigates relativistic laser-plasma interactions through ion acceleration, magnetic field generation, and direct laser acceleration of electrons. Her work spans underdense/near-critical density plasmas, shock formation physics, and extreme electromagnetic field generation in laboratory astrophysics contexts.

Recent Publication Trends: 2024-2025 studies emphasize ZEUS laser facility development, optimization of acceleration mechanisms (direct laser acceleration, wakefield acceleration), and magnetic field dynamics in multi-PW laser-solid interactions. Common subfields include collisionless shocks, radiation-driven plasma instabilities, and advanced diagnostics for relativistic charge particles.

Labs & Collaborations: Affiliated with the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) and the Center for High-Energy-Density Laboratory Astrophysics Research (CHEDAR), working closely with the ZEUS laser facility team.