, Donna shares insights into her discovery of chirped pulse amplification (CPA), a revolutionary technique that changed the field of high-intensity lasers. We discuss the science behind CPA and the moment she accidentally broke the fibre optic cable required for her PhD research. Donna reflects on the role of perseverance, collaboration, and the underestimated metric of "luck” in scientific discovery.){kind=link}
Jul 26, 2025
I had the honor of sitting down with Professor Donna Strickland,
Nobel Prize-winning physicist the third woman in history to receive
the prestigious award in physics. In our conversation, we discuss
her groundbreaking work in laser physics and the journey that led
her there. From her early academic interests to the moment she
received the life-changing call from the Royal Swedish Academy at
5AM (?!), Donna shares insights into her discovery of chirped pulse
amplification (CPA), a revolutionary technique that changed the
field of high-intensity lasers.
We discuss the science behind CPA and the moment she accidentally
broke the fibre optic cable required for her PhD research. Donna
reflects on the role of perseverance, collaboration, and the
underestimated metric of “luck” in scientific discovery.