Short Pulses, Broad Bandwidth: Historical Milestones, Light-Matter Interactions, and Nonlinear Career Paths
Vincent Tagliamonti, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, URochester
Abstract
Historically, 2025 marked the fortieth anniversary of chirped-pulse amplification (CPA), a process which made possible the production of high-intensity laser output without damaging the laser system itself. Invented by Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, this innovation led to the inventors receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2018. High-intensity laser systems are now fundamental in science, medicine, and industry and have led to advances in these fields which continue to enable advancements in the scientific community. Pulsed lasers are also regularly used in machining and ablation applications for precision manufacturing of materials. Light-matter interaction of materials with broad spectral bandwidth, high-intensity lasers can reveal ionization pathways, molecular dynamics, and electronic structure on extremely short timescales of femto- (10^-15 seconds) to attoseconds (10^-18 seconds). Applications and diagnostics for short pulses will be briefly reviewed, including optical methods to measure short pulses where electronic response times are typically too slow to measure such short time durations.
As part of Optica’s professional development emphasis in 2025, we will discuss education and career trajectories in academia and industry and how a broad skillset (bandwidth) can be leveraged in a variety of roles and fields. Education and training in STEM provide a great number of opportunities in these fields. Short pulses are often characterized by a time-bandwidth product, analogous to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which indicates that the temporal pulse duration and the spectral bandwidth are related – a larger bandwidth is needed for a shorter pulse duration. Similarly to how a short pulse is made of many different spectral frequencies, our own experiences and careers often require a broad “bandwidth” for success. Through sharing career perspectives, I hope to enable discussions about how students and young professionals can grow by leveraging their technical, organizational, networking, and problem-solving skillsets to make strategic pivots throughout their careers. The diverse roles we undertake, even those seemingly unrelated, contribute significantly to our growth as we collaborate and learn from each other. Ultimately, this collection of varied experiences creates a rich and interesting professional background. A “nonlinear” career path can be as interesting and rewarding as the nonlinear optics fundamental to modern physics and optics.
Bio
Dr. Vincent Tagliamonti has a PhD in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics from the University of Connecticut and a B.S./M.S. in Astrophysics from California State University, Northridge. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stony Brook University, NY in ultrafast physics and laser science studying molecular dynamics and coherent control of complex quantum systems. Vincent has nearly 20 years of experience in laser technology and applications with diverse experience at international companies and academic institutions. He has worked in a variety of roles including studying short-pulse light-matter interactions, high-resolution spectroscopy, glass materials science R&D, space sciences and government contracting, and technical sales management. Vincent has co-authored 11 scientific publications in high-impact journals and has 3 patents pending with 1 granted patent.
Additionally, he is dedicated to continuous learning and the development of novel technologies to encourage innovation in the fields of optics, physics, and metrology. Vincent is the current (2025-2026) President of the council for the local Rochester section of Optica and is an active mentor for students and young professionals through Optica and the American Physical Society (APS). He is focused on facilitating collaboration amongst cross-functional teams, effective technical communication, and the career development of future scientists and engineers in the fields of optics and physics.
Vincent’s current role is with the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) at the University of Rochester, where he is a Staff Scientist in the Experimental Division studying various laser system technologies and applications in Rochester, NY. He joined the LLE in 2025.
Parking and location
The talk will be held at UR River Campus, Goergen 101. Parking is available in the lot across the street in Intercampus Drive Lot, and is free for talk attendees (no pass needed).
Pre-talk dinner
A pre-talk dinner will be held at 5:15 pm at The King and I (1455 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623). If you would like to attend, please contact the house committee by email to make reservations. Email: house@opticarochester.org
