Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Jim Kafka, Ph.D., of Spectra-Physics, an expert on the development of ultrafast lasers, will speak at Hofstra on "Ultrafast Lasers and Ultrafast  Science" on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Monroe Lecture Center Theater, California Avenue, South Campus.

The talk, presented by the Hofstra University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Condensed Matter Research, and the American Physical Society, Division of Laser Science Distinguished Traveling Lecturers Program, is intended for a general audience. The lecture is free and open to the public.

For more information contact information: Rohana Garuthara, Ph.D., professor of Physics and Astronomy, at (516) 463-6379 or rohana.garuthara@hofstra.edu.

Ultrafast lasers have been used extensively in basic research and were instrumental in the work of the 1999 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry. Ultrafast sources have found increasing use in commercial applications as well. The talk will review the basic components of an ultrafast laser system, describe how ultrafast pulses are generated and touch on commercial applications including micro-machining and confocal microscopy.

Dr. Kafka received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester in 1977 and 1983, respectively. For the last 25 years, he has been developing new products and is currently the advanced R&D director for Spectra-Physics, a division of Newport Corporation. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles, conference presentations and seminars, he co-authored a book chapter on Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics and holds more than 35 patents. Dr. Kafka was the principal designer on three products, the Tsunami, the Opal and the Millennia X, which have won technology achievement awards.

He has served major organizations in the optics community as the ultrafast phenomena topical editor for Journal of the Optical Society of America, as chair of the Lasers Technical Group and co-chair for Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics. Dr. Kafka also served as a distinguished traveling lecturer for the Division of Laser Science of the American Physical Society, the major professional society for physics in the United States, and as a fellow of the Optical Society of America.

The Hofstra University Center for Condensed Matter Research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and directed by Harold M. Hastings, Ph.D., chair and professor of Physics and Astronomy.  The Center is a focus for research in condensed matter at Hofstra University, building on strong efforts by many faculty.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.


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