Alumni Profiles

Kathleen Weichman

  • Program Years: 2014-2018
  • Academic Institution: University of California, San Diego
  • Field of Study: Laser-plasma Physics
  • Academic Advisor: Alexey Arefiev
  • Practicum(s):
    Los Alamos National Laboratory (2016)
    Los Alamos National Laboratory (2017)
  • Degree(s):
    B.S. Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013
    Ph.D. Engineering Physics, University of California San Diego, 2020

Current Status

  • Status: Scientist, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
  • Research Area: Laser-plasma physics

Publications

Selected publications
K. Weichman, A. P. L. Robinson, M. Murakami, and A. V. Arefiev, "Strong surface magnetic field generation in relativistic short pulse laser-plasma interaction with an applied seed magnetic field", New Journal of Physics, 22, 113009 (2020).

K. Weichman, J. J. Santos, S. Fujioka, T. Toncian, and A. V. Arefiev, "Generation of focusing ion beams by magnetized electron sheath acceleration", Scientific Reports, 10, 18966 (2020).

K. Weichman, M. Murakami, A. P. L. Robinson, and A. V. Arefiev, "Sign reversal in magnetic field amplification by relativistic laser-driven microtube implosions", Applied Physics Letters 117, 244101 (2020).

K. Weichman, A. P. L. Robinson, F. N. Beg, and A. V. Arefiev, "Laser reflection as a catalyst for direct laser acceleration in multipicosecond laser-plasma interaction", Physics of Plasmas 27, 013106 (2020).

Invited talks
K Weichman. Relativistic laser-plasma interaction with kilotesla magnetic fields. HEDSA 2020 Talk and Chat series, August 10, 2020. https://youtu.be/hZHpCuXtmvA

Awards

Best paper, Undergraduate Detection and Measurement, American Nuclear Society 2013 Student Conference, April 4-6 2013

Highest Honors, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), May 2013
Bronze Tablet (University Honors), awarded to the top 3% of the graduating class of each college, UIUC, May 2013
Dean's List, UIUC, 8 semesters, Fall 2009-Spring 2013

Fresenius Medical Care Scholarship, Fall 2013-Spring 2015
George H. Miley/LENR Undergraduate Scholarship, UIUC, Spring 2012
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarship, Fall 2009-Spring 2011