IEEE Photonics Society Elects Dr Paul Crump to its Board of Governors

Dr Paul Crump, Head of the High-Power Diode Lasers Lab at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) in Berlin, has been elected to the Board of Governors of the IEEE Photonics Society. He will begin his three-year term in 2026, contributing to the Society's strategic direction and promoting international collaboration within the global photonics community that advance photonics research and applications worldwide.

Dr Paul Crump

At FBH, Dr Crump leads a research team focused on developing high-power GaAs-based diode lasers, modules, and systems. His work targets continuous improvements in power, efficiency, and brightness for diverse applications ranging from additive manufacturing to inertial fusion energy systems. Notably, this technology represents essential infrastructure for next-generation scientific facilities, including laser-plasma accelerator systems.  Additionally, Crump holds a position as Visiting Professor of High-Power Photonics at the University of Glasgow, further extending his influence across international research networks.

Dr Crump is a longstanding member of the EuPRAXIA community, currently contributing to the Preparatory Phase Project as deputy work package leader on WP12.

Their contributions include preparatory work for the EuPRAXIA laser system, where they are conducting design studies in collaboration with industry partners to determine optimal approaches for realizing the MW-class pump lasers required for future system deployment. The team is advancing in research studies, prototype fabrication as well as providing design and consulting expertise toward the optimization of solid-state laser systems, all of which help ensuring the technical and economic feasibility of next-generation plasma accelerator infrastructure.

The high-power diode laser stacks that Dr Paul Crump has contributed to developing at FBH serve as critical pump sources for the laser systems driving plasma accelerators, the core technology of facilities like EuPRAXIA and PACRI. These kW-class, high efficiency diode systems enable the high-repetition-rate and energy-efficient operation required to transform plasma acceleration from proof-of-concept demonstrations into practical user facilities. As plasma accelerator technology advances toward industrial beam quality and accessibility, diode-pumped architectures are becoming increasingly vital for future accelerator infrastructures.

The IEEE Photonics Society serves as a leading professional organization for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals working across all areas of photonics and optoelectronics, with members spanning more than 100 countries worldwide. Within the Society, Dr Crump has maintained an active leadership presence over the years, from chairing the Globalization Committee to holding key roles in major international conferences including CLEO, ISLC, and the IEEE High Power Diode Lasers and Systems Conference. His editorial service includes positions as associate and senior editor for the IEEE Photonics Journal, as well as guest editor for special issues of the Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics and Photonics Journal. 

Dr Crump's election reflects FBH's continued engagement in global photonics networks and underscores its contribution to advancing research and technologies at both fundamental and applied levels. His presence on the Board of Governors will provide valuable perspectives from the European photonics community, helping to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and emerging accelerator facilities such as EuPRAXIA and PACRI.

Congratulations!