Research Teams

Experimental Plasma Acceleration: EPA Team

The Experimental Plasma Acceleration (EPA) research team is dedicated to the development of innovative plasma accelerators and related technologies, along with their applications. Our program includes both laser-driven and particle-driven accelerators, with a focus on technology development. Key applications include intermediate to high-energy x-ray imaging, flash electron therapy studies, multiple-stage acceleration, and ultra-relativistic plasma acceleration for high-energy physics.

extreme plasma physics: epp Team
https://epp.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/

The extreme plasma physics team combines theory and massively parallel simulations to address the highly nonlinear scenarios associated with extreme conditions in the laboratory and in astrophysics involving relativistic flows or high intensity electromagnetic fields. We use the largest supercomputers in the World to address several longstanding scientific questions.

Industrial & Vision Optics Applications Laboratory: IVOA Lab Team

The Industrial & Vision Optics Applications Laboratory (IVOA Lab) is dedicated to advancing optical design for applications in both medicine and industry. Our research focuses on vision optics, including optical eye modeling and biomedical imaging, contributing to improvements in refractive surgery and ophthalmic diagnostics. In the industrial sector, we specialize in the design and testing of optical spectroscopy systems, such as Raman, LIBS, and UV/VIS/NIR spectrometers, with applications ranging from cancer biomarker detection to precision metrology. IVOA Lab aims to bridge fundamental optical research with real-world applications through interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation. By partnering with industry, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions, we develop optical solutions that enhance medical diagnostics and industrial processes. Our team is committed to mentorship, knowledge transfer, and the continuous advancement of optical technologies for practical and impactful applications.

Laboratory for Intense Lasers: L2I Team
https://golp.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/l2i

The L2I team develops and utilizes state-of-the-art lasers and optical tools for pulse generation, amplification, and characterization. Our research focuses on ultrafast science, nonlinear optics, and ultrashort laser technology, advancing fundamental understanding and enabling cutting-edge applications.

Plasma Photonics: P2 Team
https://p2team.github.io/

The P2 Team explores the frontier of plasma physics and optics, focusing on the interactions of intense particle beams and lasers with plasma. Our research bridges high-energy-density science with practical applications, including the development of high-damage-threshold optical components, advanced accelerators, and innovative light sources. We integrate theoretical insights, with cutting-edge computational modeling, and experimental validation to drive innovation in this dynamic field.

Quantum Matter: QuMaT Team

Our team is committed in exploring the dynamics of quantum matter, in particular quantum plasmas, quantum gases/fluids and quantum photonics, with the aim of unveiling both fundamental aspects of matter in the quantum regime (including the collective and complex dynamics) and enabling novel physical platforms for quantum technologies. The activities of the team comprise theory and experiment, with the latter based on the MOTLab, our cold atom facility.

Ultra-high intensity laser-matter interactions - extreme conditions and quantum effects: STAR Team

This team's research is focused on plasmas in extreme conditions, where quantum effects can affect the collective plasma dynamics. We develop analytical and computational models to explore and test the concepts relevant for current and future experiments. Some of the main topics are: direct laser acceleration, radiation (hard x-ray and gamma-ray) sources, radiation reaction, quantum plasmas in extreme conditions. Among the advanced numerical tecniques, we have recently included also quantum computing and machine learning for our research.

VUV tO X-rays Experiments with Light: VOXEL Team

The goal of the VOXEL team is to advance understanding of laser-plasma interactions, unlocking new frontiers in high-energy-density physics and warm dense matter (WDM) research. Our efforts are focused on: (a) Providing benchmark data on plasma atomic physics to support modeling and predictions crucial to fusion, astrophysics, and other fields. (b) Developing advanced computational models to complement experiments, leveraging tools such as collisional-radiative simulations, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), and kinetic approaches coupled to atomic physics. (c) Pioneering innovative X-ray imaging techniques with coherent and incoherent light, transforming applications in science, technology, and healthcare. (d) Harnessing structured laser-pulse control to precisely manipulate plasma dynamics, unlocking new pathways for discovery in physics. (e) Translating fundamental research into practical advancements, delivering broad-reaching impacts in diagnostics, materials science, and beyond. Through these efforts, we aim to deliver cutting-edge science while fostering career success for our students. With hands-on training in high-power laser experiments, plasma physics, and computational modeling, and access to world-class facilities such as XFEL and LCLS, our team drives innovation through strong international collaboration and transformative research opportunities.

Principal Investigators

Frederico Fiuza
frederico.fiuza@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Jorge Vieira
jorge.vieira@ist.utl.pt

Luis O. Silva
luis.silva@ist.utl.pt

Marija Vranic
marija.vranic@ist.utl.pt

Thomas Grismayer
thomas.grismayer@ist.utl.pt

Ricardo Fonseca
ricardo.fonseca@iscte.pt

Gonçalo Figueira
goncalo.figueira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

João Mendanha Dias
joao.m.dias@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Marta Fajardo
marta.fajardo@ist.utl.pt

Nelson Lopes
nelson.lopes@ist.utl.pt

José Tito da Luz Mendonça
titomend@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Associated Researchers

Marco Piccardo
marco.piccardo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

PhD Researchers

Thales Silva
thales.silva@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Gareth Williams
gareth.williams@ist.utl.pt

Hugo Pires
hugo.pires@ist.utl.pt

Hugo Terças
hugo.tercas@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

José António Sequeira de Figueiredo Rodrigues
jose.rodrigues@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Lucas Ivan Inigo Gamiz
lucas.inigo.gamiz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Xuezhi Wu
xuezhiwu@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Pablo San Miguel Claveria
pablo.san.miguel.claveria@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Graduate Students

Ankur Nath
ankur.nath@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Bernardo Barbosa
bernardo.barbosa@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Bhushan Thakur
bhushan.thakur@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Camilla Willim
camillawillim@googlemail.com

Chiara Badiali
chiara.badiali@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Diogo Carvalho
diogo.d.carvalho@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Filipe Cruz
filipe.d.cruz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Óscar Amaro
oscar.amaro@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Pablo Bilbao
pablojbilbao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Rafael Almeida
rafaelrussoalmeida@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Róbert Babjak
robert.babjak@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Gonçalo Vaz
goncalovaz98@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

José Figueiredo
jose.luis.figueiredo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

lucasansia
lucas.ansia.fernandez@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Nuno Torrado
nuno.torrado@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

pedro.cosme.e.silva
pedro.cosme.e.silva@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

MSc. Students

Francisco Assunção
francisco.assuncao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Alexandre Ferreira
alexandrelopesferreira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

alexandru.ciobanu
alexandru.ciobanu@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

David Cristino
david.cristino@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Luís Veloso
luis.veloso@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Matilde Ferreira da Costa
mtpfdc@gmail.com

Laboratory Technician

Jessica Diaz
jessicafgdiaz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Science Management Team

Susana Muinos
susana.muinos@tecnico.ulisboa.pt