Stefan Karsch

Prof. Stefan Karsch leads a research group at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), focusing on ultra-high intensity laser physics and laser-driven particle acceleration. His work bridges advancements in laser technology with applications in plasma physics, photon beam generation, and high-energy-density science at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ), where he develops cutting-edge laser systems like ATLAS-3000 and PFS-Pro.

• Laser-Wakefield Electron Acceleration
• Multi-GeV Electron Acceleration
• Hybrid Wakefield Acceleration
• Advanced Diagnostics for plasma and electron beam analysis
• Development of high-power laser systems

His group investigates the interaction of intense laser pulses with plasmas to create compact, high-brilliance accelerators and X-ray sources. Key projects include improving laser parameters such as temporal contrast, repeatability, and beam quality to enable applications in radiobiology, radiation oncology, and quantum electrodynamics (QED) experiments. The ATLAS-3000 laser system, a 2.5 Petawatt Ti:sapphire laser, and PFS-Pro, a Yb:YAG laser with kilohertz repetition rates, exemplify his contributions to advancing high-intensity laser infrastructure.

The group collaborates internationally, including with Oxford University, to develop technologies like plasma-modulated plasma accelerators (P-MoPA). Their work emphasizes scalable, reproducible systems for electron beam injection, acceleration dynamics, and extraction, aiming to transform accelerator physics into practical, high-impact solutions.

Research facilities include the Central Laser Facility at MPQ, where Karsch's team pioneered innovations in pulse compression, nonlinear broadening, and optical synchronization. These efforts position LMU and MPQ as global leaders in high-field physics and laser development.