LLNL, Las Positas College Offer Laser Optics Workshop

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Las Positas College (LPC) in Livermore are again offering a summer course to help meet the growing demand for laser and optics technicians who are critical to the operation of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other laser systems.

NIF, the world’s most energetic laser and the world’s largest optical instrument, provides experimental data critical for national security. It’s also the only facility to achieve fusion ignition in a laboratory, a distinction that has prompted more public and private interest and investment in fusion energy research. That momentum, in turn, has created increased demand for laser and electronic optics technicians who build optical systems at LLNL.

Signups are now open for the eight-week Laser Optics Workshop, which offers hands-on experience working with lasers, optics, and optical instruments. The sessions are scheduled from June 22 to August 12 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The course is presented through LPC’s Community Education program.

LLNL optical engineer Trenton Brendel and LPC physics professor Jennifer Siders will return to teach the classes. Siders was a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“We were thrilled by the response to last summer’s workshop and are honored to partner with Las Positas College again this year to help members of our community learn about laser optics and gain hands-on experience,” Brendel said. “The ongoing partnership between LLNL and LPC provides significant benefits to both organizations and to the field of optical science, which is critically important for the development of future laser systems for fusion energy and national security applications.”

This is the second summer LLNL and LPC have teamed up for the Laser Optics Workshop, which drew 30 participants last year with varying degrees of familiarity with lasers and optics—some had previous hands-on experience, while others had never touched an optical component.

About 40 percent of the participants were LLNL employees, 35 percent were Las Positas College students, and 25 percent from the local community.

The workshop is designed for students ages 18 and up with basic algebra and geometry skills who are interested in careers in optical science and photonics (the science of light).

The covered topics include the nature and properties of light, optical handling and positioning, light sources and laser safety, geometrical optics, physical optics, and principles of lasers. Each class included lectures, laboratory activities, and occasional guest lectures from LLNL staff.

Tuition is $150. The course is not eligible for college credit. The workshop is supported by the NNSA Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program.

For more information and to sign up, click here:

Las Positas College Laser Optics Workshop

Earlier this year, representatives from LLNL’s NIF and Photon Science directorate organized an Optics Education Summit of educators from around the country to discuss efforts such as the Las Positas courses.

LLNL and LPC have a history of close collaboration that includes the Engineering Technology Program, Science and Engineering Seminar Series, and other courses taught by LLNL staff. LLNL’s popular Science on Saturday program is also held at LPC.

More Information

“Optics Education Summit Targets a Growing Need for Laser and Photonics Experts,” NIF and Photon Science News, April 2, 2026

“Las Positas College, LLNL offer Laser Optics Workshop,” LLNL News, June 12, 2025