Joint conference to highlight laser ablation of space junk and beamed energy propulsion
Sante Fe, NM--The International High Power Laser Ablation (HPLA) and the International Beamed Energy Propulsion (BEP) Symposium combines two events to provide a greater opportunity for exchange of ideas, collaboration, and networking. The Symposium will be held at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, April 21-25.
The HPLA side of the meeting focuses on the physics and application of high power laser-materials interaction, including advances in relevant high power laser sources and problems of beam propagation and detection. Space junk control is the most dramatic of a range of applications for laser ablation, which also include nanoengineering, laser lightcraft for space travel, transdermal drug injections, and laser direct writing. The BEP portion of the meeting focuses on the development of beamed-energy propulsion vehicles, engines, schemes, and concepts for space transportation systems, as well as microwave sources and lasers as drivers.
The Symposium is chaired by Claude Phipps, with keynote speakers Eric Mazur from the Harvard Physics Department, Johannes Pedarnig of the Johannes Kepler University in Austria, Bruno Esmiller of Astrium Space Transportation in France, and David Neely from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the U.K. There are 21 sessions in two parallel tracks, and the organizers expect some 200 attendees.
For more information, visit the Symposium website: www.usasymposium.com/hplabep/
About the Author

Conard Holton
Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.