Research interests

• Optical material characterization
• Laser-induced damage
• Materials for high power/energy lasers
• Time-resolved studies of laser-matter interactions
• Statistical modeling

Current position(s)

• Deputy group leader for laser material interaction science group
• Staff scientist in Optics and Materials Science & Technology (OMST), NIF & Photon Science Directorate

Career path

• Postdoctoral Researcher, LLNL
• Postdoctoral Researcher, UCSB
• https://www.optica-opn.org/home/career/2022/september/senior_member_insights_raluca_negres/?src=hptopstories

Subject Matter Expertise

• Optical materials, thin films, laser induced damage, data mining, time-resolved imaging

Ph.D. Optical Physics, School of Optics/CREOL, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, FL, 2001

M.S. Physics, UCF, Orlando, FL, 1998

B.S. Physics, University of Bucharest, Romania, 1993

Selected publications

• Laurence T.A., Alessi D.A., Feigenbaum E., Negres R.A., Qiu S.R., Siders C.W., Spinka T.M., Stolz C.J., “Mirrors for petawatt lasers: Design principles, limitations, and solutions,” J. Appl. Phys. 128(7), 071101 (2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.5131174
• Stolz C.J., Negres R.A., “Ten-year summary of the Boulder Damage Symposium annual thin film laser damage competition,” Opt. Eng. 57(12), 121910 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.57.12.121910
• R. A. Negres, C. W. Carr, T. A. Laurence, K. Stanion, G. Guss, D. A. Cross, P. J. Wegner, and C. J. Stolz, “Laser-induced damage of intrinsic and extrinsic defects by picosecond pulses on multilayer dielectric coatings for petawatt-class lasers,” Opt. Eng. 56(1), 011008 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011008
• D. A. Alessi, C. W. Carr, R. P. Hackel, R. A. Negres, K. Stanion, J. E. Fair, D. A. Cross, J. Nissen, R. Luthi, G. Guss, J. A. Britten, W. H. Gourdin, and C. Haefner, “Picosecond laser damage performance assessment of multilayer dielectric gratings in vacuum,”, Opt. Express 23(12), 15532-15544 (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.015532
• I. L. Bass, R. A. Negres, K. Stanion, G. Guss, and J. Bude, “Metallic burn paper used for in situ characterization of laser beam properties,” Appl. Opt. 55(12), 3131-3139 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.55.003131
• R. A. Negres, D. A. Cross, L. M. Liao, M. J. Matthews, and C. W. Carr, “Growth model for laser-induced damage on the exit surface of fused silica under UV, ns laser irradiation,” Opt. Express 22(4), 3824-3844 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.22.003824
• R. A. Negres, Z. M. Liao, G. M. Abdulla, D. A. Cross, M. A. Norton, and C. W. Carr, “Exploration of the multiparameter space of nanosecond-laser induced damage growth in fused silica optics,” Appl. Opt. 50(22), D12-D20 (2011). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.50.000D12
• S. G. Demos, R. A. Negres, R. N. Raman, N. Shen, A. M. Rubenchik, and M. J. Matthews, “Mechanisms governing the interaction of metallic particles with nanosecond laser pulses,” Opt. Express 24(7), 7792-7815 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.24.007792
• S. G. Demos, R. A. Negres, R. N. Raman, M. D. Feit, K. R. Manes, and A. M. Rubenchik, “Relaxation dynamics of nanosecond laser superheated material in dielectrics,” Optica 2(8), 765-772 (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.2.000765
• S. G. Demos, R. A. Negres, R. N. Raman, A. M. Rubenchik, and M. D. Feit, “Material response during nanosecond laser induced breakdown inside of the exit surface of fused silica,” Laser & Photon. Rev. 7(3), 444-452 (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lpor.201200100

• NIF&PS 2021 award for “Outstanding contributions to laboratory restart and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic”
• NIF&PS 2017 award for “NIF Power and Energy Integrated Product Team”
• Director’s Office 2016 S&T award for “Commissioning Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) on the National Ignition Facility”
• NIF&PS 2016 Directorate award for “Leadership in the optimization and validation of safe operational limits for ARC optics”
• NIF&PS 2010 Directorate award for “Development of version 2 damage rules”

Memberships

• Senior Member of Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America, OSA)
• Member of SPIE

Professional services

Active Optica Publishing Group reviewer

Organizer of Thin Film Damage Competition at SPIE Laser Damage Symposium (2015-present)