Jan Chaloupka

PhD, University of Rochester, 1999.
Area of Study: Physics

MA, University of Rochester, 1994.
Area of Study: Physics

BS, University of Washington, 1992.
Area of Study: Physics

Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Physics and Astronomy (2018-present)

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Physics and Astronomy (2013-2018)

Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado
Physics and Astronomy (2009-2013)

Assistant Professor, College of William and Mary (2002-2009)

Research Associate, Brookhaven National Laboratory (1999-2002)

Research Assistant, University of Rochester (1993-1999)

Computational Strong-Field Physics

I develop computational methods to study the interaction of intense laser pulses with atoms. In particular, I use a classical ensemble technique that models the light-matter interaction completely classically, reproducing rich behavior and providing physical insights.

Experimental and Computational Studies of Structured Light

I use spatial light modulators to experimentally generate and analyze optical vortices and other forms of structured light, and compare to results generated computationally.

Hydrodynamic Quantum Analogs

I use a hydrodynamic system of a vibrating oil bath and bouncing droplets to model quantum behavior in a macroscopic system.

Schlieren Imaging

I utilize the Schlieren imaging technique to visualize otherwise invisible phenomena, incorporating novel methods applied to a variety of physical processes.

Areas of Interest

• Strong-field laser-matter interactions
• Ultrafast laser science
• Computer modeling of atoms in strong fields,
• Hydrodynamic quantum analogs
• Optical vortex generation
• Schlieren imaging
• Adaptive beam shaping
• Super-continuum generation in fibers

• J. L. Chaloupka, Single and Double Ionization of Helium in Intense Bicircular Laser Fields, Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics 53 (18), 185601 (2020).
• M. E. Anderson, A. Serrano, C. Stinson, A. Talamantes, N. Miller, and J. L. Chaloupka, Spatial Manipulation of a Supercontinuum Beam for the Study of Vortex Interference Effects, Applied Sciences 10 (6), 1966 (2020).
• C. A. Mancuso, K. M. Dorney, D. D. Hickstein, J. L. Chaloupka, X.-M. Tong, J. L. Ellis, H. C. Kapteyn, and M. M. Murnane, Observation of ionization enhancement in two-color circularly polarized laser fields, Physical Review A 96, 023402 (2017).
• C. A. Mancuso, K. M. Dorney, D. D. Hickstein, J. L. Chaloupka, J. L. Ellis, F. J. Dollar, R. Knut, P. Grychtol, D. Zusin, C. Gentry, M. Gopalakrishnan, H. C. Kapteyn, and M. M. Murnane, Controlling nonsequential double ionization in two-color circularly polarized femtosecond laser fields, Physical Review Letters 117, 133201 (2016).
• J. L. Chaloupka and D. D. Hickstein, Dynamics of strong-field ionization in two-color counterrotating fields, Physical Review Letters 116, 143005 (2016).
• J. L. Chaloupka, M. Woods III, J. Aas, J. Hutchins, and J. D. Thistle, Color schlieren imaging with a two-path, double knife edge system, Optics Express 22, 8041-8046 (2014).
• M. E. Anderson, H. Bigman, L. E. E. de Araujo, and J. L. Chaloupka, Measuring the topological charge of ultra-broadband, optical-vortex beams with a triangular aperture, Journal of the Optical Society of America B 8, 1968-1976 (2012).
• M. Mitry, D. C. Doughty, J. L. Chaloupka, and M. E. Anderson, Experimental realization of the devil’s vortex Fresnel lens with a programmable spatial light modulator, Applied Optics 51, 4103-4108 (2012).
• J. P. Paquette and J. L. Chaloupka, Effect of realistic focal conditions on the strong-field ionization of helium, Physical Review A 79, 043410 (2009).
• J. Rudati, J. L. Chaloupka, P. Agostini, K. C. Kulander, and L. F. DiMauro, Multiphoton double ionization via field independent resonant excitation, Physical Review Letters 92, 203001 (2004).
• J. L. Chaloupka, J. Rudati, R. Lafon, P. Agostini, K. C. Kulander, and L. F. DiMauro, Observation of a transition in the dynamics of strong-field double ionization, Physical Review Letters 90, 033002 (2003).
• J. L. Chaloupka, R. Lafon, J. Rudati, B. Sheehy, P. Agostini, K. C. Kulander, and L. F. DiMauro, Electron energy spectra from the strong-field double ionization of xenon, Acta Physica Polonica A 101, 337-346 (2002).
• J. L. Chaloupka, R. Lafon, L. F. DiMauro, P. Agostini and K. C. Kulander, Strong-field double ionization of rare gases, Optics Express 8, 352-357 (2001).
• R. Lafon, J. L. Chaloupka, B. Sheehy, P. M. Paul, P. Agostini, K. C. Kulander and L. F. DiMauro, Electron energy spectra from intense laser double ionization of helium, Physical Review Letters 86, 2762-2765 (2001).
• J. L. Chaloupka and D. D. Meyerhofer, Characterization of a tunable, single-beam ponderomotive-optical trap, Journal of the Optical Society of America B 17, 713-722 (2000).
• J. L. Chaloupka and D. D. Meyerhofer, Observation of electron trapping in an intense laser beam, Physical Review Letters 83, 4538-4541 (1999).
• J. L. Chaloupka, Y. Fisher, T. J. Kessler and D. D. Meyerhofer, Single-beam, ponderomotive-optical trap for free electrons and neutral atoms, Optics Letters 22, 1021-1023 (1997).
• J. Peatross, J. L. Chaloupka and D. D. Meyerhofer, High-order harmonic generation with an annular laser beam, Optics Letters 19, 942-944 (1994).