Malka’s Lab

High Field Laser Science

Research

Ultraintense laser radiation transforms matter into plasma rich with free, energetic electrons. Controlling the distributions and flows of these electrons enables us to generate and shape the electric and magnetic fields inside the plasma, accelerating particles to highly relativistic energies with unprecedented acceleration gradients. Our research scope extends from the fundamental studies of highly nonlinear laser-plasma interactions, to their applications in the compact acceleration of electrons, ions, and sources of bright, femtosecond X-rays. We also look for the potential applications of these laser-plasma accelerated particles and X-rays sources in medicine, radiotherapy, radiobiology, non destructive material inspection, and the study of high-energy physics. 

Research page

Recent Publications

Electron acceleration in a wakefield generated by structured light: Proc.SPIE

Liberman A., Smartsev S., Golovanov A., Tata S., Andriyash I. A., Benracassa S., Levine E. Y., Kroupp E., Lahaye R., Thaury C. & Malka V. (2025) Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions VIII . Palmer C. A. J., Grittani G. M. & Bulanov S. S.(eds.). Vol. 13534.

Trends in relativistic lasermatter interaction: the promises of structured light

Piccardo M., Cernaianu M. O., Palastro J. P., Arefiev A., Thaury C., Vieira J., Froula D. H. & Malka V. (2025) Optica. 12, 6, p. 732-752

Commissioning of the 1 PW experimental area at ELI-NP using a short focal parabolic mirror for proton acceleration

Cernaianu M. O., Ghenuche P., Rotaru F., Tudor L., Chalus O., Gheorghiu C., Popescu D. C., Gugiu M., Balascuta S., Magureanu A., Tataru M., Horny V., Corobean B., Dancus I., Alincutei A., Asavei T., Diaconescu B., Dinca L., Dreghici D. B., Ghita D. G., Jalba C., Leca V., Lupu A. M., Nastasa V., Negoita F., Patrascoiu M., Schimbeschi F., Stutman D., Ticos C., Ursescu D., Arefiev A., Tomassini P., Malka V., Gales S., Tanaka K. A., Ur C. A. & Doria D. (2025) Matter and Radiation at Extremes. 10, 2, 027204.
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News

June 12, 2025

Congratulations to our graduates, Eitan (PhD) and Heychal (Msc)!

June 3, 2025

Prof. Malka delivered the annual Songwang lecture at Zhengzhou University

May 29, 2025

Aaron was selected as the student delegate to the 2025 Weizmann Global Gathering in Chicago.

May 28, 2025

Prof. Malka, Anton and Yinren, and former lab member Slava gave plenary talks at the 2025 LPAW Conference.

May 27, 2025

Congratulations to former Malkalab member Dr. Yang Wan for winning the 2025 ECPD Prize!

April 9, 2025

Congratulations to Aaron for being awarded both a 2025 SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarship and Best Student Paper at the SPIE Optics Conference!

All News

Videos

Check out this drone movie of our lab: