Research Teams
At GoLP, research is organized in teams, that lead specialized effort in specific topics, and develop cross-cutting joint research activities also in collaboration with external teams and groups worldwide.
Experimental Plasma Acceleration: EPA Team
Team Leader and PI: Nelson Lopes
The Experimental Plasma Acceleration (EPA) research team is dedicated to the development of innovative plasma accelerators and related technologies, along with their applications. Our program includes both laser-driven and particle-driven accelerators, with a focus on technology development. Key applications include intermediate to high-energy x-ray imaging, flash electron therapy studies, multiple-stage acceleration, and ultra-relativistic plasma acceleration for high-energy physics.
extreme plasma physics: epp Team
https://epp.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/ Team Leader: Luis O. Silva; PIs: Ricardo Fonseca, Thomas Grismayer, Luis. O Silva, Thales Silva
The extreme plasma physics team combines theory and massively parallel simulations to address the highly nonlinear scenarios associated with extreme conditions in the laboratory and in astrophysics involving relativistic flows or high intensity electromagnetic fields. We use the largest supercomputers in the World to address several longstanding scientific questions.
Industrial & Vision Optics Applications Laboratory: IVOA Lab Team
https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/homepage/ist14042/apresentacao
Team Leader and PI: João M. Dias
The Industrial & Vision Optics Applications Laboratory (IVOA Lab) is dedicated to advancing optical design for applications in both medicine and industry. Our research focuses on vision optics, including optical eye modeling and biomedical imaging, contributing to improvements in refractive surgery and ophthalmic diagnostics. In the industrial sector, we specialize in the design and testing of optical spectroscopy systems, such as Raman, LIBS, and UV/VIS/NIR spectrometers, with applications ranging from cancer biomarker detection to precision metrology. IVOA Lab aims to bridge fundamental optical research with real-world applications through interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation. By partnering with industry, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions, we develop optical solutions that enhance medical diagnostics and industrial processes. Our team is committed to mentorship, knowledge transfer, and the continuous advancement of optical technologies for practical and impactful applications.
Laboratory for Intense Lasers: L2I Team https://golp.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/l2i Team Leader: Gonçalo Figueira; PIs: Gonçalo Figueira, Hugo Pires
The L2I team develops and utilizes state-of-the-art lasers and optical tools for pulse generation, amplification, and characterization. Our research focuses on ultrafast science, nonlinear optics, and ultrashort laser technology, advancing fundamental understanding and enabling cutting-edge applications.
Plasma Photonics: P2 Team https://p2team.github.io/ Team Leader and PI: Jorge Vieira
The P2 Team explores the frontier of plasma physics and optics, focusing on the interactions of intense particle beams and lasers with plasma. Our research bridges high-energy-density science with practical applications, including the development of high-damage-threshold optical components, advanced accelerators, and innovative light sources. We integrate theoretical insights, with cutting-edge computational modeling, and experimental validation to drive innovation in this dynamic field.
Quantum Matter: QuMatt Teamhttps://qumatt.github.io/QuMatt/ Team Leader: Hugo Terças; PIs: Tito Mendonça, José A. Rodrigues, Hugo Terças
Our team is committed in exploring the dynamics of quantum matter, in particular quantum plasmas, quantum gases/fluids and quantum photonics, with the aim of unveiling both fundamental aspects of matter in the quantum regime (including the collective and complex dynamics) and enabling novel physical platforms for quantum technologies. The activities of the team comprise theory and experiment, with the latter based on the MOTLab, our cold atom facility.
Strong Fields, Plasmas, Quantum: SFPQ Teamhttps://web.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/marija.vranic/ Team Leader and PI: Marija Vranic
This team's research is focused on plasmas in extreme conditions, where quantum effects can affect the collective plasma dynamics. We develop analytical and computational models to explore and test the concepts relevant for current and future experiments. Some of the main topics are: direct laser acceleration, radiation (hard x-ray and gamma-ray) sources, radiation reaction, quantum plasmas in extreme conditions. Among the advanced numerical tecniques, we have recently included also quantum computing and machine learning for our research.
VUV tO X-rays Experiments with Light: VOXEL Teamhttps://ist-voxel.github.io/voxel-website/ Team Leader: Marta Fajardo; PIs: Marta Fajardo, Gareth Williams
The VOXEL team is dedicated to advancing our understanding of how lasers interact with matter under extreme conditions, with a focus on high-energy-density physics, warm dense matter and imaging. By combining cutting-edge plasma diagnostics, innovative X-ray techniques, and advanced computational modelling, we aim to reveal the fast, complex dynamics of laser-driven plasmas. Our research also supports key areas like fusion energy and astrophysics, while pioneering new ways to control and harness light-matter interactions for the development of next-generation secondary sources.
PhD Researchers
Gareth Williams — VOXEL, PI
gareth.williams@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Gonçalo Figueira — L2I, TL, PI
goncalo.figueira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Hugo Pires — L2I, PI
hugo.pires@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Hugo Terças — QuMatt, TL, PI
hugo.tercas@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
João Mendanha Dias — IVOA, TL, PI
joao.m.dias@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Jorge Vieira — P2, TL, PI
jorge.vieira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
José A. Rodrigues — QuMatt, PI
jose.rodrigues@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
José Tito Mendonça — QuMatt, PI
titomend@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Lucas Ivan Inigo Gamiz — SFPQ
lucas.inigo.gamiz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Luis O. Silva — epp, TL, PI
luis.silva@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Marija Vranic — SFPQ, TL, PI
marija.vranic@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Marta Fajardo — VOXEL, TL, PI
marta.fajardo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Nelson Lopes — EPA, TL, PI
nelson.lopes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Ricardo Fonseca — epp, PI
ricardo.fonseca@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Thales Silva — epp, PI
thales.silva@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Thomas Grismayer — epp, PI
thomas.grismayer@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Xuezhi Wu — P2
xuezhiwu@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Graduate Students
Afonso Santos — epp
afonso.carmo.santos@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Ankur Nath — epp
ankur.nath@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Bernardo Barbosa — SFPQ
bernardo.barbosa@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Bhushan Thakur — P2
bhushan.thakur@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Camilla Willim — epp & P2
camilla.willim@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Chiara Badiali — P2
chiara.badiali@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
David Cristino — L2I
david.cristino@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Diogo Carvalho — epp
diogo.d.carvalho@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Diogo Lemos — EPA
diogotnlemos@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Diogo Simões — QuMatt
diogo.s.simoes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Filipe Cruz — epp
filipe.d.cruz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Francisco Assunção — epp
francisco.assuncao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Gonçalo Almeida — IVOA
goncalo.p.almeida@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Gonçalo Vaz — L2I
goncalovaz98@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
João Joaquim — epp
joao.s.joaquim@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
João Teixeira — VOXEL
joaomouraplteixeira@gmail.com
José Figueiredo — QuMatt
jose.luis.figueiredo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Lucas Ansia — VOXEL
lucas.ansia.fernandez@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Manuel Ratola — epp
manuelratola22@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Margarida Pereira — epp
margarida.melo.pereira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Matilde Fernandes — VOXEL
matilde.fernandes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Miguel Lameiras — EPA
miguel.lameiras@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Nuno Torrado — EPA
nuno.torrado@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Óscar Amaro — SFPQ
oscar.amaro@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Pablo J. Bilbao — epp
pablojbilbao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Pedro Monteiro — QuMatt
pedro.s.monteiro@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Rafael Almeida — P2
rafaelrussoalmeida@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Róbert Babjak — SFPQ
robert.babjak@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Robert Neumann — VOXEL
smilerob204@gmail.com
Sofiia Pustova — SFPQ
sofiia.pustova@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Zahra M. Chamazkoti — epp
mohamadzade.zahra34@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Tech support
Jessica Diaz
jessicafgdiaz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Science Management Team
Cláudia Romão
claudia.romao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Susana Muinos
susana.muinos@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Associated Researchers
Carolina Amoedo
carolina.amoedo@cern.ch
Catarina Coutinho
catarina.praefke@gmail.com
Marco Piccardo
marco.piccardo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
