Biography:
Dr. Guillaume Matras is the Senior Director of High Power Lasers and Applications at the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC), part of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in the UAE.
Prior to joining TII, Dr. Matras served as the Laser Expert and Project Manager at Thales LAS France, supervising multiple projects focused on state-of-the-art high-power laser sources, with a specific emphasis on ultrafast femtosecond laser systems. His key contributions to the advancement and administration of sophisticated laser systems led to their successful implementation at prestigious international research institutes.
A significant achievement in Dr. Matras's career was his role as the Technical Lead responsible for coordinating the development of the world's most powerful laser system at the Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) Research Institute in Romania, achieving unmatched peak powers of 2x10 Petawatts. This groundbreaking project serves as a testament to his outstanding technical leadership and expertise.
Project Brief:
“Laser-based rain triggering demonstrator with remote sensing technology”
The primary objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of using lasers for inducing controlled atmospheric modifications to influence and enhance precipitation processes through numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, with a focus on leveraging laser-induced wave shocks. The second goal of the project involves conducting field experiments utilizing a Mobile High-Power Pulsed Laser Demonstrator (MHPPLD). This demonstrator comprises a mobile laser equipped with a remote sensing system, allowing for relocation to various locations within the UAE.
The collaborative project will involve major international laboratories, each contributing specific and complementary expertise beneficial to the initiative. The Weizmann Institute of Science will contribute its proficiency in cloud microphysics, Empa will bring expertise in acoustic system detection, and the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge will contribute specialized knowledge in high-power laser sources.
The project will commence with laboratory experiment involving a scientific understanding of the production of desired effects in the atmosphere that can be achieved using the MHPPLD in the clouds. A fundamental aspect involves in-depth characterization of laser filamentation within a controlled laboratory setting. Through systematic experimentation, the team will analyze the influence of various laser parameters such as pulse duration, energy, repetition rate, and wavelength on the formation and behavior of laser filaments. This characterization will provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying filament-induced perturbations in the atmosphere.
To visualize the impact of laser filamentation on clouds microphysics and dynamics, the team will employ advanced visualization techniques, including laser shadowgraph and Schlieren imaging. These techniques enable the capture and visualization of shockwaves generated by laser filaments. By studying shockwave propagation patterns and density changes, the project aims to uncover potential links between laser-induced perturbations and atmospheric turbulence.
Building on the insights gained from filament characterization, the team will investigate the use of laser beam steering to induce turbulence in the atmosphere. This innovative approach could potentially create favorable conditions for precipitation initiation by enhancing the turbulence within the clouds and facilitating the coalescence of water and ice particles.
Furthermore, the research project will facilitate the establishment of atmospheric and laser science laboratories at the Technology Innovation Institute and local partner universities. The presence of such laboratories in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will enable students from different levels to perform experimental works for their graduation projects and PhD theses without the need to go to laboratories outside the country, thereby enhancing the scientific sovereignty for the UAE. Additionally, a continuous education strategy can be implemented to promote periodic workshops and seminars in cloud microphysics, LIDAR technology, plasma diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. This interdisciplinary approach will encourage knowledge sharing, and the cultivation of innovative solutions.
