MPW Diagnostic Community Workshop
Registration is now open!
Multi-Petawatt Diagnostic Community Workshop
Home
Multi-Petawatt Diagnostic Community Workshop
May 21-22, 2026
Location: Michigan League, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Purpose
The Multi-Petawatt Diagnostic Community Workshop will bring together scientists, engineers, and facility leaders engaged in the development and application of diagnostics for next-generation multi-petawatt (MPW) laser systems.
The workshop will provide a forum to:
- Identify emerging diagnostic technologies and critical technical gaps.
- Discuss strategies for scaling diagnostics to the MPW regime.
- Foster cross-facility coordination and community-building.
- Develop a roadmap for advancing diagnostic readiness for upcoming facilities.
This workshop is designed to strengthen collaboration across the high-intensity laser community and to guide future research directions and investments in diagnostic capabilities.
Three working groups have been established to consider different aspects of diagnostic needs for MPW facilities. The three working groups are Particle Detection, High-energy x-ray, and Ultra-intense optical diagnostics. Each of these working groups addresses observables of MPW science and will be charged with addressing challenges in diagnostic / detector development independently as well as integrating together.
Participation and Contributions
Participation will include representatives from national laboratories, universities, and international laser facilities.
Prior to the workshop, the organizing committee and working group chairs will issue a Call for Whitepapers to capture community input on diagnostic technologies, challenges, and opportunities.
Workshop participants will engage in working group discussions based on thematic areas outlined in a forthcoming Charge to Working Groups document. Findings will inform a post-workshop summary and community roadmap report.
Key Dates
- Registration deadline: April 24, 2026
- Whitepaper submission deadline: April 24, 2026
- Workshop: May 21–22, 2026
Organizing Committee
Steve Ivancic – University of Rochester
Louise Willingale – University of Michigan
Mike Downer – University of Texas at Austin
Contact
For questions or to express interest in participating, please contact:
📧 Steven Ivancic, siva@lle.rochester.edu
Registration
Deadline to register: April 24, 2026
Agenda
Location
Wednesday, May 20
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Tour of ZEUS facility Meeting outside Michigan League
Thursday, May 21
9:00 AM: Introduction and Welcome Hussey
Organizing Committee
9:10 AM: NSF Perspective and Priorities Hussey
V. Lukin, NSF
9:20 AM: Reaching for the Brightest Light Hussey
J. Zuegel, URochester
9:50 AM: Compton Spectroscopy and Gamma Measurement at FACET-II Hussey
J. Rosenzweig, UCLA
10:20 AM -10:35 AM: Break
10:35 AM: Electron and photon diagnostics at GeV-scale PWFA facilities Hussey
D. Storey, FACET
11:05 AM: Non-Invasive Wavefront Diagnostic Method for High-Power Hussey
Laser Beams
K. T. Kim, CORELS
11:30-11:50 AM: Breakout Discussion Overview Hussey
Breakout Discussion Chairs
11:50 AM: Group Photo Outside Michigan League
11:50 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 – 4:30 PM: Breakout discussions:
Discussion 1: X-ray and Gamma Diagnostics Kalamazoo
Facilitator:M. Hegelich
Discussion 2: Charged Particle Diagnostics Michigan
Facilitator: M. Litos
Discussion 3: Intense Focal Volume Diagnostics Hussey
Facilitator: W. Hill
4:30 – 6:30 PM: Poster Session Vandenberg/Concourse
Friday, May 22
9:00 AM: Introduction and Welcome
9:20 AM – 10:45 AM: Writing Retreat / Breakout Summaries
Summary 1: X-ray and Gamma Diagnostics Kalamazoo
Facilitator: M. Hegelich
Summary #2: Charged Particle Diagnostics Michigan
Facilitator: M. Litos
Summary #3: Intense Focal Volume Diagnostics Hussey/Vandenberg
Facilitator: W. Hill
11:00 AM: Breakout Report (joint session)
11:50 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Joint Session Vandenberg
1:00 PM: Diagnostics for next-generation laser-accelerated electron beams Vandenberg
M. Downer, UT Austin
1:30 PM: Plasma optics for ultraintense laser science Vandenberg
J. Mikailova, Princeton
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Joint Discussion Vandenberg
Topics: EMP, Facility Design, AI / Data Curation, Collaboration
3:15 PM: -3:30 PM: Closing remarks Vandenberg
Call for Whitepapers
Multi-Petawatt Diagnostics Community Workshop
May 21-22, 2026
Location: Michigan League, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Purpose
The Multi-Petawatt Diagnostics Community Workshop aims to identify, develop, and coordinate diagnostic technologies that will enable the next generation of ultra-intense laser facilities.
To inform and strengthen workshop discussions, the organizing committee invites whitepaper submissions addressing key diagnostic challenges, technology developments, and strategic opportunities relevant to the multi-petawatt (MPW) regime.
Three working groups have been established to consider different aspects of diagnostic needs for MPW facilities. The three working groups are Particle Detection, High-energy x-ray, and Ultra-intense optical diagnostics. Each of these working groups addresses observables of MPW science and will be charged with addressing challenges in diagnostic / detector development independently as well as integrating together.
Whitepaper Topics
Whitepapers are encouraged to address one or more of the following areas:
- Diagnostic Technology Landscape
- Current and emerging diagnostic capabilities applicable to MPW laser–plasma experiments.
- Advances in temporal/spatial resolution, dynamic range, damage mitigation, or real-time data acquisition.
- Scaling and Technical Challenges
- Identifying barriers to adapting diagnostics for the MPW scale (e.g., survivability, calibration, precision).
- Proposals for novel concepts, instrumentation, or modeling to overcome these challenges.
- Cross-Facility and Cross-Disciplinary Solutions
- Opportunities to leverage technologies or methodologies from complementary research fields (e.g., HEDP, fusion, accelerator science, ultrafast optics, data science).
- Concepts for interoperability, standardization, or shared diagnostic infrastructure across facilities.
- Strategic and Roadmapping Contributions
- Recommendations for community priorities, coordination mechanisms, and collaborative initiatives.
- Suggestions for training, knowledge sharing, or open-access data and tools.
Whitepaper Format
- Length: Up to 3 pages (excluding references and figures).
- Format: PDF, 12-point font, single spacing.
- Suggested Sections:
- Title and Author(s) with affiliation(s)
- Abstract (≤200 words)
- Main body (problem statement, context, ideas, recommendations)
- Key challenges and future directions
- References
Submission Details
-
- Deadline: April 24, 2026
-
- Submission method: via Google Forms,Submit whitepaper here
- Subject line: “MPW Diagnostics Whitepaper – [Lead Author Last Name]”
- Review: Submissions will be reviewed by the workshop organizing committee and used to shape breakout discussions and the post-workshop community report.
Workshop Goals (Context)
This call aligns with the workshop’s objectives to:
- Understand and identify diagnostic technologies addressing scientific frontiers at multi-petawatt facilities.
- Evaluate diagnostic needs and define a community roadmap.
- Bridge present solutions to the multi-petawatt scale through cross-field innovation.
- Build a connected diagnostic community across national and international facilities.
Contact
For questions or clarification, please contact:
Steve Ivancic, siva@lle.rochester.edu
Venue
The workshop will be held at:
Michigan League
911 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 936-0869
https://uunions.umich.edu/league/
Accommodation
The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection:
219.00 USD per night
Event Summary: MPW Diagnostic Workshop
Start Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
End Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Last Day to Book : Wednesday, April 19, 2026
Book your group rate for MPW Diagnostic Workshop
Residence Inn (Government Employees):
146.00 USD per night
Event Summary: UM Gov Block
Start Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
End Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Last Day to Book: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Book your group rate for UM Gov Block
Residence Inn (Non-Government Employees):
179.00 USD per night
Event Summary: UM Non-Gov Block
Start Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
End Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Last Day to Book: Sunday, April 19, 2026