Physics in Intense Fields 2026 (PIF26)
Physics in Intense Fields 2026
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Physics in intense, or strong, background fields has a rich history, captivating researchers since the early days of QFT. Modern advances in high-intensity lasers have prompted a renewed interest in the area of strong-field QED (SFQED), where non-perturbative methods have been necessitated by increased laser field strength. “Physics in Intense Fields” aims to explore SFQED, high-intensity laser physics, and related themes, by bringing together researchers from theory, experiment, and simulation.
PIF26 is hosted by the University of Rochester, and is preceded by earlier Physics in Intense Fields conferences:
- PIF24 (virtual), hosted by University of Plymouth and University of Edinburgh,
- PIF22 (virtual) hosted by the University of Plymouth,
- PIF2013 in DESY, Germany in 2013,
- PIF2010 in KEK, Japan in 2010.
Confirmed Speakers:
- TBD
Organizers:
Local Organizing Committee
- Antonino Di Piazza, University of Rochester, USA
- Jonathan Zuegel, University of Rochester, USA
- Velynda Bertomen, University of Rochester, USA
- Ashley Thrash, University of Rochester, USA
International Advisory Committee
- TBD
Steering Committee
- Stepan Bulanov, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
- James P. Edwards, University of Plymouth, UK
- Anton Ilderton, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Masaki Kando, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Japan
- Ben King, University of Plymouth, UK
- Katarzyna Krajewska, University of Warsaw, Poland
Scientific Program
Advances in high-intensity laser technology continue to motivate research in strong-field QED (SFQED), in which the presence of intense electromagnetic fields induces nonlinear and non-perturbative physical effects.
In turn, interest in observing these novel phenomena continues to generate proposals for experiments to be performed at current, and future, laser facilities.
An essential link between theory and experiment is provided by numerical methods, which translate theoretical results into widely applicable models amenable to PIC and Monte-Carlo simulation schemes.
The focus of PIF 2026 will be on these three areas of SFQED — theory, simulation and experiment. The conference will begin with a tutorial talk on each of these topics. Each conference session (outlined below) will begin with an overview talk.
Theory
Laser-particle interactions
Non-perturbative phenomena
Higher loop and higher multiplicity results
Simulation
PIC and Monte-Carlo schemes
Bench-marking simulations
Toward higher fidelity
Experiment
New experimental results
Facilities overviews
Future experiment proposals
Call for Abstracts
More details will be announced soon.
Schedule
Monday, July 20, 2026
TBD
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
TBD
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
TBD
Thursday, July 23, 2026
TBD
Friday, July 24, 2026
TBD
Registration
To attend the tour and dinner at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, please fill out the linked visitor form within 45 days of the visit: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/aa4eb792fcd642cbb9531f30180448bb.
You can use the information below for the host name and email address:
Velynda Bertomen
vber@lle.rochester.edu
More details regarding registration will be announced soon.
Physics in Intense Fields 2026
Home
Physics in intense, or strong, background fields has a rich history, captivating researchers since the early days of QFT. Modern advances in high-intensity lasers have prompted a renewed interest in the area of strong-field QED (SFQED), where non-perturbative methods have been necessitated by increased laser field strength. “Physics in Intense Fields” aims to explore SFQED, high-intensity laser physics, and related themes, by bringing together researchers from theory, experiment, and simulation.
PIF26 is hosted by the University of Rochester, and is preceded by earlier Physics in Intense Fields conferences:
- PIF24 (virtual), hosted by University of Plymouth and University of Edinburgh,
- PIF22 (virtual) hosted by the University of Plymouth,
- PIF2013 in DESY, Germany in 2013,
- PIF2010 in KEK, Japan in 2010.
Confirmed Speakers:
- TBD
Organizers:
Local Organizing Committee
- Antonino Di Piazza, University of Rochester, USA
- Jonathan Zuegel, University of Rochester, USA
- Velynda Bertomen, University of Rochester, USA
- Ashley Thrash, University of Rochester, USA
International Advisory Committee
- TBD
Steering Committee
- Stepan Bulanov, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
- James P. Edwards, University of Plymouth, UK
- Anton Ilderton, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Masaki Kando, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Japan
- Ben King, University of Plymouth, UK
- Katarzyna Krajewska, University of Warsaw, Poland
Scientific Program
Advances in high-intensity laser technology continue to motivate research in strong-field QED (SFQED), in which the presence of intense electromagnetic fields induces nonlinear and non-perturbative physical effects.
In turn, interest in observing these novel phenomena continues to generate proposals for experiments to be performed at current, and future, laser facilities.
An essential link between theory and experiment is provided by numerical methods, which translate theoretical results into widely applicable models amenable to PIC and Monte-Carlo simulation schemes.
The focus of PIF 2026 will be on these three areas of SFQED — theory, simulation and experiment. The conference will begin with a tutorial talk on each of these topics. Each conference session (outlined below) will begin with an overview talk.
Theory
Laser-particle interactions
Non-perturbative phenomena
Higher loop and higher multiplicity results
Simulation
PIC and Monte-Carlo schemes
Bench-marking simulations
Toward higher fidelity
Experiment
New experimental results
Facilities overviews
Future experiment proposals
Call for Abstracts
More details will be announced soon.
Schedule
Monday, July 20, 2026
TBD
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
TBD
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
TBD
Thursday, July 23, 2026
TBD
Friday, July 24, 2026
TBD
Registration
To attend the tour and dinner at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, please fill out the linked visitor form within 45 days of the visit: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/aa4eb792fcd642cbb9531f30180448bb.
You can use the information below for the host name and email address:
Velynda Bertomen
vber@lle.rochester.edu
More details regarding registration will be announced soon.