Las Positas College, LLNL offer Laser Optics Workshop

Laser and Electronic Optics Technicians (LEOTs) are critical to the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other laser systems. In addition to being the world’s most energetic laser and the only place where fusion ignition has been achieved in a laboratory, NIF is also the world’s largest optical instrument.

But LEOTs, the technicians who build LLNL’s optical systems, are in short supply. LLNL recruits from only three institutions in the U.S. that offer associate’s degrees in laser technology.

“There is a nationwide shortage, and only a few schools offer specialized training in this field,” said Laser Systems Engineering & Operations Division Superintendent Rob Campbell. “With their expertise, these technicians form the backbone of the Lab’s reputation for building some of the world’s most advanced laser systems.”

To begin addressing this need, LLNL and Las Positas College (LPC) are offering a Laser Optics Workshop through the school’s Community Education program. LLNL optical engineer Trenton Brendel and LPC physics professor Jennifer Siders will teach the eight-week class, which begins June 16 and ends Aug. 6. Siders was a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“Las Positas College is an established educational resource in our community,” said Brendel. “By partnering on this workshop, we hope that interested members of our community can learn more about laser optics and gain hands-on experience.”

The workshop will include the modules: Nature and Properties of Light, Optical Handling and Positioning, Light Sources and Laser Safety, Geometrical Optics, Physical Optics and Principles of Lasers. Each class will include lectures, laboratory activities and occasional guest lectures from LLNL staff.

“This workshop will build on the optics that students learn in their regular physics class, with a greater focus on optics in the workplace,” said Siders. “It will also be a great introduction to optics for students who haven’t taken physics yet.”

Campbell and Brendel hope that the workshop is the first step towards a regular laser optics course at LPC and eventually an associate’s degree in laser technology.

“A laser [technology] associate degree or certificate program would be a great opportunity for LPC in the future,” said Siders. “Our focus is supporting our students by providing them the skills necessary to succeed, whether that be continuing their education, working in industry or at a national lab.”

LLNL and LPC have a history of close collaboration that includes the Engineering Technology Program, Science and Engineering Seminar Series and other courses taught by LLNL staff. LLNL’s popular Science on Saturday program is also held at LPC.