BrainMap

Mr. Daniel Ursescu

CS1, dr. habil.

Senior Researcher, CS1 - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Other affiliations

Associate Professor - UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (Romania)

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: F-2216-2010

Curriculum Vitae (01/07/2021)

Expertise & keywords

Water hyperpolarization for radiation biomarkers Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2642 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://biophysicsmr.wordpress.com/pce/

Abstract:

Water is ubiquitous in nature and the major constituent of the human body. About two thirds of the body water makes up intracellular fluid. The very pervasiveness of water renders it an ideal candidate to follow cellular clockworks. However, a sensitive high-resolution functional spectroscopic method based on water to detect native molecules inside cells is yet to be developed. Radiation effects in cells mostly propagate through water, so radiobiology is ready to ask questions on its most pressing issue, radiation toxicity, as soon as bio-spectroscopic tools for molecular investigation are established.

A modern approach in radiation delivery seeks to reduce toxicity using time-compressed (‘FLASH’) doses. High-power lasers can deliver particle and photon radiation on ps-ns time-scales; the ensuing high dose-rate radiobiology effects raise scientific interest. Monodeuterated water, HDO, can be hyperpolarized across nuclear magnetic transitions of protons using transfer of polarization between electron spins in free radicals and water protons, via the technique known as dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). This project proposes to find pathways of magnetization transfer from hyperpolarized water protons to endogenous molecules. Biomolecules will used as magnetic resonance biomarkers of radiation effects in cells.

Spectral broadening for ultrashort focused pulses Call name:
IFA-ELI-RO 16/2020 2020 - 2023

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH ()

Project website: http://www.eli-np.ro/projects/sbuf/

Abstract:

The project’s first major objective is to introduce a model for the description of the spectral broadening of pulses with 2D beam profile and to create numerical instruments and methods ready to i) provide a prediction for the spatio-spectral composition of cm-size beams after spectral broadening in thin films and ii) describe propagation of such pulses in free space and also after a focusing mirror, in the confocal region. The second major objective of the project is to demonstrate the experimental characterization and analysis of the spectral broadening effect on the intensity distribution in the cofocal region for ultrashort pulses available at ELI-NP.

Mobilitate cercetător cu experiență din diaspora Claudiu Andrei Stan Call name: PNCDI IV, P 5.2 - SP 5.2.2 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetători cu experiență din diaspora, MCD-2023
PN-IV-P2-2.2-MCD-2023-0045 2023 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Frontiers Research in Photon-Matter Interaction Using Extreme Helical Light Beams Call name: P 4 - Proiecte Complexe de Cercetare de Frontieră
PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0164 2018 - 2022

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (RO)

Project website: http://proiecte.nipne.ro/pn3/11-projects.html

Abstract:

Helical-phase or “vortex” light beams have the unique property of carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) of mħ per photon, with m an integer. The photon OAM can be used to apply torque to matter, or to excite quantum transitions forbidden by the selection rules. The interaction of helical light with matter is so far little studied. A four year research program is proposed, aimed at exploring new frontiers of light-matter interaction using helical photon beams with extreme intensity or energy. Coupled to worldwide unique capabilities of ELI-NP facility (planned to start delivering beams in 2019), the proposed research program will produce high visibility results and assure Romanian priority in two main directions: (i) producing extreme intensity helical laser beams and using them to study the interaction between relativistic intensity OAM light and dense plasmas, and (ii) producing helical beams at gamma-ray energies and using them to study the fundamental interactions of OAM carrying gamma-rays with electrons and nuclei. Extreme light intensities will be achieved using the PW lasers at the CETAL and ELI-NP facilities in Romania, and extreme photon energies using the Gamma Beam System also at the ELI-NP facility. The experimental research will be accompanied and supported by a strong theoretical research effort. Teams from two Romanian research institutes, IFIN-HH and INFLPR, will perform the experimental research, and a team from the Bucharest University will perform the theoretical research. Collaborations with researchers inside and outside Romania will also support the proposed research. The proposed project is expected to break new grounds in fundamental science and to impact on societal application associated to optimized laser-driven acceleration, such as proton-therapy or energy production in fast-ignitor scheme of inertial fusion, and to monochromatic gamma beams, such as dangerous material detection with improved sensitivity, as well as on other fields.

High power laser beam profile and pointing measurement Call name:
ATTRACT Phase 1 / 775 2019 - 2020

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH (); MGM STAR CONSTRUCT S.R.L. ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA SI INGINERIE NUCLEARA " HORIA HULUBEI " - IFIN - HH ()

Project website: https://phase1.attract-eu.com/showroom/project/high-power-laser-beam-profile-and-pointing-measurement-hplm/

Abstract:

A device for continuous control of the laser intensity, together with beam profile and pointing monitoring, over very large dynamic

range was developed, for adjusting a laser beam to a precise power level required by a current application. The attenuator consists of

two glass prisms positioned in close proximity to each other. The evanescent field from the total internal reflection in one prism is used

to tune continuously the beam intensity over 110dB. Such a device has numerous potential applications in medicine, non-destructive

testing and materials processing.

Inquiry-Based Education in Science and Technology Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0406 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICĂ "GHEORGHE ASACHI" IAŞI (RO); COMPUTER POWER S.R.L. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO)

Project website: http://education.inflpr.ro/ro/IBEST.htm

Abstract:

This project addresses different aspects of science teaching at the pre-university level. The project “Inquiry-based education in science and technology: I-BEST” is focused on training school teachers and students to develop their own research projects, as a method to learn and a mean to serve the communities they belong to. By identifying the needs and expectations at European level as it concerns the development of a knowledge-based society which calls for the formation of an educated and responsible citizen, the project proposes the creation of a new model for science teaching in school. Using a student-centered approach, with training provided into a highly technical, cross-curriculum and collaborative environment, this project will assist schools teachers and students, to support science education in the frame of a national network. Courses and demo sessions about the educational training kits and materials developed in the frame of the project will be organized for school teachers. Some of them will benefit of the expertise of foreign teacher trainers. Two international conferences organized in the project frame will strength the links between the Romanian science teachers and experts from EU.

Ultrafast laser Facility with Optimized high order harmonics UltraViolet sources Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0886 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA LASERILOR, PLASMEI SI RADIATIEI - INFLPR RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://ssll.inflpr.ro/ufouv/index.html

Abstract:

Nonlinear optics has revolutionized laser science by making it possible to efficiently convert laser light from one wavelength to another. Using the extreme nonlinear- optical process of high harmonic generation (HHG), light from an ultra-fast laser can be coherently up-shifted, resulting in a useful, tabletop, coherent and polarized short wavelength source. Such sources complement or replace expensive synchrotron facilities in specific applications.

The unique properties of UV HHG have already proven useful for studying ultra-fast molecular, plasma and materials dynamics, for characterizing nanoscale heat flow, for following element-specific dynamics in magnetic materials, and for high-resolution coherent imaging. HHG are ideal also for capturing the motion of electrons in atoms, molecules, and materials on their fundamental time (~fs) and length (~nm) scales.

Our project aims to develop at the TEWALAS laser system in INFLPR (15 TW, 10 Hz, 800 nm, 30 fs pulse duration), a HHG source technology as in [1] and also aims to build a facility to offer access to high flux radiation over the entire UV range. The major advantage is the ten fold increased UV production efficiency via quasi-phase matching control.

The expected impact of the development relates to a revolution in the efficiency of HHG sources, comparable with the one introduced by the periodically poled nonlinear crystals in laser physics. The optimized HHG sources will be patented and offered as high end products to the global ultra-fast laser market. The sources will also be the key elements at the core of a facility offering services related to the entire UV range, extending the capabilities of the TEWALAS laser facility. The commissioning of the UV user facility will be provided through a first experiment related to multi-coincidence photo-electron and photo-ion studies in diluted systems [2].

[1] Tosa V,et al., New J. of Phys. 10, 025016 (2008)

[2] C.M. Teodorescu, al., J. Chem. Phys. 109, 9280 (1998)

Ultraintense THz wave generated in air-plasma by short-pulse high-intensity laser beam Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0801 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: http://ecs.inflpr.ro/idei_tdascalu_37_2011-2014.html

Abstract:

Going beyond the mid-infrared spectral range there is the teraherz domain known for long time as the THz gap, due to the lack of appropriate sources and detectors. Recently, new approaches using intense ultrafast lasers have allowed for tabletop sources of ultrashort THz pulses that increase from picoJoule to microJoule level in energy. Focusing high intensity chirped laser pulses in tenuous gas can generate THz amplitudes of up to 10 MV/cm, 10 thousands times stronger than usual methods. The great advantages of THz generation in air or gases are not only about high field strength but also in broadband spectra 0.1-10THz without gaps. The problems that are waiting to be addressed in this topic are related to enhancing emission power and increasing signal to noise ratio, use of biased air as THz sensor, remote sensing, peak-to-peak stability, etc. This project aims to increase the THz amplitude and make the THz pulses more stable and use the short intense THz pulse for single shot 2D THz imaging. The project has great relevance to research community in Romania given by the fact that proposes an interesting and useful experiment for largest laser facility existing in Romania (17TW laser). This project will prepare human resource that will be able to develop research on high field physics with even larger laser facilities (1PW laser, Romanian facility, ready for use in 2013, and Extreme Light Infrastructure, European facility, ready for use in 2016).

Giga and tera-watt laser interaction with carbon, tungsten and beryllium films Call name: Exploratory Research Projects - PCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0522 2011 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Institutul National pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei

Project partners: Institutul National pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei (RO)

Project website: http://idei-4-2011.inflpr.ro

Abstract:

Energy production using fusion plasma is an expected goal and a research domain very well explored at the international level. The fusion device ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), to be operated at Cadarache, France is, probably the largest scientific project started ever. An important problem still unresolved is the material composition of the reactor main chamber (the first wall), materials to resist to the high energy fluxes of 10-100 MW/m2. These energy fluxes appear during the plasma instabilities, when the magnetic field lines are loosing the stable configuration and the ionized plasma particles having over 10 eV temperatures are directed toward the first wall.

The research group, leader Cristian P. LUNGU, produces currently tungsten and beryllium coatings on the first wall tiles used at the JET reactor in Culham, UK using the original technology of thermionic vacuum arc. The project is aimed to study the behavior of the C, W and Be coatings in interaction with single or multiple terawatt laser beam pulses, as well as under the interaction with the laser beam breakdown plasma produced in gaseous environment, including deuterium. Terawatt laser system (Tewalas), a modern facility of the NILPRP is a high power, 22 fs pulse duration, 400-450 mJ pulse energy, 10 Hz repetition rate. The 100 TW/cm2 density power laser beam will be focalized on the W, C, Be coatings at few micrometers above the coatings in air/deuterium atmosphere.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects