Postdoc/PhD positions on theoretical/computational studies of laser-plasma interaction

Laser-plasma interactions occur when a high-intensity laser beam interacts with a plasma-a state of matter consisting of free electrons and ions. This interaction can lead to a variety of complex and intriguing phenomena due to the unique properties of both the laser and the plasma. When a laser enters a plasma, it can excite plasma waves, which are oscillations in the electron density of the plasma. These waves can either be longitudinal or transverse, depending on the laser's characteristics and the plasma's properties. One significant effect of these interactions is self-focusing, where the intense laser light alters the plasma’s refractive index, causing the laser beam to concentrate and increase in intensity. This phenomenon is crucial in applications like laser-driven particle accelerators, where high localized intensities are needed to accelerate particles to high energies. Additionally, laser-plasma interactions can result in scattering processes such as stimulated Raman scattering and stimulated Brillouin scattering. In stimulated Raman scattering, the laser light interacts with plasma waves, leading to a shift in the laser’s frequency and energy redistribution. Similarly, stimulated Brillouin scattering involves the interaction of the laser with sound waves in the plasma, causing changes in the laser's frequency and energy. These scattering processes can affect the efficiency and control of the laser’s energy transfer. Understanding these interactions is vital for various technological and scientific applications, including inertial confinement fusion, where lasers compress fuel pellets to achieve nuclear fusion, and advanced material processing, where high-intensity lasers modify materials with precision. Despite advances in this field, controlling and stabilizing these interactions remains challenging due to their dynamic and nonlinear nature. Overall, laser-plasma interactions provide valuable insights into fundamental physics and enable advancements in technology, highlighting their importance in both research and practical applications.

The Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITP) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was founded in 1978. The ITP focuses on theoretical studies in almost all fields of physics and some interdisciplinary fields of physics and other branches of science. The research fields of ITP cover particle physics, nuclear physics, quantum field theory, string theory, mathematical physics, gravitational theory, cosmology, astrophysics, quantum physics, atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, biophysics, soft matter physics, statistical physics, and applied studies of theoretical physics, etc.

Currently ITP has around 70 staffs including about 45 research faculties and more than 150 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. The ITP plays roles not only as a research center of excellence but also as an open platform for productive scientific exchanges and collaborations for scientists, postdocs and students from all over the world.