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Barty Wins 2018 R.W. Wood Prize
Established in 1975 to honor the many contributions that R.W. Wood made to optics, this award recognizes an outstanding discovery, scientific or technical achievement, or invention in the field of optics. The accomplishment for which the prize is given is measured chiefly by its impact on the field of optics generally, and therefore the contribution is one that opens a new era of research or significantly expands an established one.
The Optical Society Names the 2018 R.W. Wood Prize Recipient
WASHINGTON—The Optical Society (OSA) is pleased to name Christopher Barty, University of California, Irvine, USA, the 2018 R.W. Wood Prize recipient. Dr. Barty’s innovations have enabled ultrafast and energetic intense lasers around the world.
Established in 1975, the R.W. Wood Prize recognizes an outstanding discovery, scientific or technical achievement, or invention in the field of optics. The accomplishment is measured chiefly by its impact on the field of optics and is one that opens a new era of research or significantly expands an established one. Xerox Corp. endows the award.
With bachelor’s degrees in chemistry, physics and chemical engineering from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA, Dr. Barty received his Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., USA. He is professor of Physics and Astronomy at UC Irvine, a member of the Beckman Laser Institute, chair of the International Committee on Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers and co-founder of Lumitron Technologies, Inc., USA. He is a fellow of OSA, SPIE, American Physical Society, IEEE and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Barty’s research interests include the development and applications of short-pulse-duration, ultrahigh-intensity laser technology and the creation and use of compact, ultrahigh-brilliance X-ray and gamma-ray systems based on laser-Compton scattering. His efforts aim to enable new X-ray modalities for precision detection and treatment of disease, novel X-ray studies of ultrafast material dynamics and the emergence of nuclear photonics as new scientific discipline.
“Nearly all of today’s leading, international, ultrahigh-intensity laser facilities incorporate one or more of Dr. Barty’s high-peak-power laser innovations or concepts,” notes award selection committee chair, Nicusor Iftimia, Physical Sciences Inc., USA.
“Dr. Barty’s latest power-scaling concepts based on chirped-beam amplification may lead the way towards the next generation of ultrahigh-intensity lasers,” says Ursula Gibson, OSA President-elect and professor of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.
About The Optical Society Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit osa.org.
Media Contact: Mediarelations@osa.org
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