Nathan Cook

Nathan Cook is currently the Lead Project Scientist Group Leader at RadiaSoft. Prior to that, they were a Research Assistant at Stony Brook University from August 2008 to January 2015. Nathan's initial research there focused on the lattice design of a rapid cycling synchrotron, as well as the development of a novel radio frequency acceleration scheme utilizing ferrite loaded cavities to achieve efficient and rapid acceleration of protons and light ions.

Nathan also designed and simulated the harmonic ratcheting scheme to efficiently accelerate proton and Carbon ion beams at high repetition rate and through a controlled RF cavity frequency range. More recently, their work has been aimed at generating beams of energetic protons and Helium ions from the interaction between a high intensity picosecond-scale CO2 laser pulse and a high density gas jet.

In addition, Nathan has selected, designed, and calibrated diagnostics for laser ion acceleration experiments, including scintillator performance for single shot ion beam imaging. Nathan has also simulated and analyzed plasma density profiles obtained via in-situ laser interferometry. Finally, they have performed 2D particle-in-cell simulations of laser-plasma interactions to understand the role of target plasma density profile in stimulating the development of a collisionless electrostatic shock capable of accelerating ion beams to MeV energies.

Nathan Cook's educational career includes a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Physics and Mathematics from Williams College.

Some individuals on their team include Chris Hall - Senior Scientist, Stephen Coleman - Senior Project Scientist Group Leader, and Ilya Pogorelov - Senior Research Scientist. Nathan Cook reports to David L. Bruhwiler, CEO. Nathan Cook works with Rob Nagler - CTO, Jonathan Edelen - President, and Joan Danver - Senior Operations Manager.