Professor Simon Hooker elected to the Fellowship of the American Physical Society

The American Physical Society (APS) announced on 4 October, the election of its 2024 Fellows, recognising exceptional contributions to the advancement of physics. Among this year’s honorees is Professor Simon Hooker, Professor of Atomic and Laser Physics and the Tutor in Physics at Merton College.

Simon has been selected for his groundbreaking work in the development of plasma-based, high-power optical waveguides. These waveguides have significantly advanced laser-driven plasma accelerators, a technology with vast potential for future particle acceleration and compact x-ray generation. His research focuses on how intense laser radiation interacts with matter, overcoming the challenges of diffraction and refraction to enable the creation of miniature accelerators and compact x-ray sources.

The APS Fellowship is one of the highest honours bestowed upon physicists. Fellows are chosen based on their original research, innovation in the application of physics, significant contributions to education, and exemplary service to the APS. Simon’s achievements exemplify the excellence recognised by this prestigious fellowship.

The Merton community celebrates this well-deserved recognition of Simon's outstanding contributions to the field. 

Visit APS website for more about the APS Fellowship Programme.