Chemical Physics, University of Sussex (1990). PhD in Non-linear Optics, University of Birmingham (1997), “CO2 Laser Frequency Doubling in AgGaSe2 and ZnGeP2". Senior Research Scientist at QinetiQ Ltd (formerly DERA/DRA/RSRE) (1990-2009) and Central Laser Facility (2009 to present).

Paul is a laser scientist with over 30 years' experience designing and building laser systems. Since joining the CLF in 2009 he has specialised in development of high energy diode pumped solid-state laser amplifiers for high intensity physics applications. This includes particular expertise in the development of high power, high brightness pulsed laser diode sources for pumping; cryogenic gas cooling systems; exploitation of novel transparent composite ceramic materials; design of multi-pass extraction architectures; development of temporally-shaped fibre-based seed sources and non-linear optics. More recently he has been responsible for the development of high energy Ti:sapphire amplifiers for PW-class CPA systems. 

Paul is a Programme Committee member for High power / High energy lasers at the CLEO-Pacific Rim 2022 Conference and the biennial workshop on High Energy Class DPSSLs (HEC-DPSSL). He has previously been a Committee member for Solid State Lasers at CLEO Europe (2017 and 2019) and for High-energy, High-power and High-intensity sources at SPIE Optics & Optoelectronics Conferences (2015 and 2017). He has co-authored over 100 publications (see publication list on ResearchGate) and has 6 international patent applications. He is a Chartered Physicist and has been an active member of the Institute of Physics for over 20 years.

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