Professor Walker’s expertise is in the experimental study of light-matter interactions and ultrafast optoelectronic technology. He has studied atoms and molecules in perturbative “multiphoton” and nonperturbative “strong” optical fields. Most recently, his interest is in probing the physics of atoms in “ultra” high-intensity laser fields; light whose intensity is billions and billions of times more intense than sunlight on the earth. Such interactions compare to the most violent astrophysical events. New and exciting excitation processes occur in these high fields where v/c and B are not approximately zero and our common understandings are tenuous.
Developments in laser technology are greatly responsible for the newest insights into light-matter interactions. Within the past five years, this has involved advances in the control of the spatial and temporal characteristics of light.
Academic and Professional Positions
Academic and Professional Positions
- 2009-Present Professor Physics & Astronomy, University of Delaware
- 2008- 2009 Associate Chair Physics & Astronomy, University of Delaware
- 2005 Visiting Fellow JILA, University of Colorado
- 2002- 2004 Director of Undergraduate Program Physics & Astronomy, University of Delaware
Education and Mentors
Education and Mentors
- Post-Doctorate Research Assistant
- Prof. Kent R. Wilson & Dr. Chris Barty Dept Chemistry & Biochemistry, Univ. California San Diego
- Ph.D. Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York
- Graduate Research Advisor
- Dr. Louis F. DiMauro Dept Chemistry, Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY
- B.A. Chemistry and B.A. Physics, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California M
Personal Life
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Lived in Bethany Oklahoma where he went to Earl Harris Elementary and Putnam City High School. He has lived in eight states for periods longer than four months and overseas for one year where he attended middle school at Glebelands in England. His first experience in research was when he was 18 in the area of genetics and microbiology, picture shown below.
His hobbies are running, volleyball, collecting Britney Spears concert memorabilia, yoga, and modern housing design.
Spring is so anticipated after a long cold winter, and it is so encouraging to see the plants come back from dormancy. Here are a few pictures in the spring. The Heathers come out first in Jan and Feb, then the white forsythia Feb to March, followed by the Yoshino Cherry in late March. April is a big month, with the Donald Wyman and Indian Summer crabapples, the maple blossoms including my favorite half moon japanese maple, the Eastern Redbud, primroses, and bleeding hearts. Now the color has come back as the garden is revived.
The lasers in the lab generate basically two frequencies, 1000Hz and 10Hz. This can become somewhat, well, predictable after a few years. Internet radio and MP3 have solved this problem in our lab. My favorite artists are 3Oh!3 (They are back with NightSports!), Galantis, Nicki, Rhianna, David Guetta <3, Blink 182, The Struts. I have an addiction to EDM, … dealing with it. Favorite old song/video would be Kickstart by EXAMPLE . 2016 artists would be The 1975, Chainsmokers, Daya, Melanie Martinez, Alessia Cara. Halsey is good … but her lyrics are a little edgy scary. Fetty, he has `that voice’ and I hope he makes it.
Committees
Professor Walker regularly serves on committees for national organizations, federal agencies, and the university. Examples include serving as the Gordon Research Conference Multiphoton Processes (Chair and Co-Chair), Delaware Science Olympiad, Mid-Atlantic American Physical Society Section (Annual Meeting Chair, Executive and Nominating Committees), International Conference on Multiphoton Processes (International Committee), Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science of the American Physical Society (Education Committee, Thesis Prize Committee), Optica / Optical Society of America (Executive Committee Science and Engineering Council, Optical Sciences Division Chair, High Field Short Wavelength Conference Chair, CLEO High Field Physics and Lasers Topic Chair), Science Olympiad (National Tournament Judge),
Proposal and Manuscript Reviews (American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund, American Journal of Physics, Applied Physics Letters, Army Research Office, Chemical Physics Letters, Department of Energy, Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Optical Society of America B, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Physics B, Journal of Physics D, Journal Quantum Electronics – IEEE, Medical Physics, National Science Foundation, New Journal of Physics, Optics Letters, Optics Express, Optical Engineering – SPIE, Physics Letters A, Physical Review A, Physical Review E, Physical Review Letters, Reports on Progress in Physics)
University of Delaware (University Committee on Diversity and Affirmative Action, Associate Chair Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Committee on Student Life, University Senator, Director of Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Program), Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware (Promotion and Tenure Committee, Physics Library, Space, Safety, Machine Shop, Executive Committee, Graduate Review Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, Course Evaluation Committee, Undergraduate Studies Committee, Undergraduate Advisor, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Chair, )
Sustainability
Prof. Walker lives with his partner in a house they built on a small farmette. The animals, small crops, and creating native meadows is an incredible amount of physical work and time but even more rewarding. He enjoys the natural connection to our planet and the smaller carbon footprint that comes from living in a smaller home and growing food organically on the property.
Their pets are goats and chickens. Visitors to the farm include foxes, hawks, migrating songbirds, uncomfortably large snakes with their dinner mice, and rabbits.
