CLF has secured a £10m Czech contract to develop new laser technologies for use by business and science.
The
DiPOLE (link opens in a new window) laser technology that will be supplied by CLF through the contract represents the way that public sector investment in UK science can pay real dividends in assisting economic recovery, build long term international relationships and benefit the long term science and technology base of the UK.
HiLASE (link opens in a new window) is a new £30 million project under construction near Prague, with the goal of advancing new laser technologies that will be significantly more powerful, efficient, stable and easily maintained than current systems across Europe. Benefits are expected to include entirely new applications across a wide range of industries.
Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts said:
“The £10 million contract will provide the HiLASE project with the very best of British technology. It is further proof that investment in science is vital to growth and international collaboration. It is also recognition of the UK’s world-class research base, with particular strengths in laser science at the leading edge Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.”
DiPOLE has been a core part of CLF technology development over the last 2 years and is currently making significant progress towards a high power laser system operating at 10 Hz. The HiLASE contract will further accelerate this development as it will fund more rapidly the development of a 100J / 10 Hz version.
By value, this is the largest development contract CLF has undertaken to date and is obviously very welcome news particularly in these challenging times. Coming on the back of the £2.3M ELI contract earlier in the year, it is a true testament to the regard that the CLF is held in by our partners and peers on the international stage, and particularly the skills, expertise and capabilities we have in the CLF.
See here (link opens in a new window) for full STFC press release
