David Alessi Named Senior Member of Optica

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) physicist David Alessi has been named a senior member of Optica, an international society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of optics and photonics.

Alessi, the chief laser scientist for the Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) within LLNL’s National Ignition Facility (NIF), received the status in recognition of his contributions to optics research and service to the optics community. Click here to see the entire 2025 class.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from Optica,” Alessi said. “I am grateful for the opportunities at LLNL to perform world-leading research with so many talented and team-focused individuals here.”

“Impact is one of Optica’s core values,” said Optica President Jim Kafka, “and I am incredibly pleased to recognize our new class of senior members who have made such an impact on our field.”

Founded in 1916, Optica is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Senior membership status recognizes members with more than 10 years of significant experience and professional accomplishments or service in their fields.

Alessi, who received his B.S., M.S, and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, has more than 20 years of experience in laser and plasma physics R&D.

He was a Lawrence Fellowship finalist and came to LLNL as a postdoc in 2011, then joined the staff as a laser physicist in 2014. Since May 2018 he has served as chief laser scientist and integrated project team lead for ARC, the world’s highest-energy short-pulse laser.

Alessi has led multiple projects within the NIF and Photon Science directorate, including various upgrades to ARC, the development of new pulse compressor diffraction grating technologies, the proof-of-concept demonstration of subsystems for the HAPLS laser, and the development of an advanced short-pulse laser-damage test station.

He currently also provides laser science support to LLNL’s Jupiter Laser Facility, where he has participated in experiments generating high-energy protons, electrons, x-rays, and betatron radiation. He is co-author of 46 peer-review journal papers, holds three patents, and his work has been included in 150 conference presentations.

Optica has more than 18,500 members from 175 countries and works to promote the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics.

More Information:

“Two LLNL Researchers Named to Optica’s 2024 Class of Senior Members,” NIF & Photon Science News, August 14, 2024

“NIF’s Jeff Wisoff and Jean-Michel Di Nicola Elected Optica Fellows,” NIF & Photon Science News, November 14, 2023

“Two LLNL Scientists Named Optica Senior Members,” NIF & Photon Science News, August 9, 2023

“Researchers Elected Optica Fellows,” NIF & Photon Science News, November 23, 2022

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