Wednesday Colloquia

Science and Extreme Photonics at the UK's Central Laser Facility

by Prof. John Collier (Director, CLF, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK)

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 from to (Asia/Kolkata)
at Lecture Theatre ( AG-66 )
TIFR
Description
Housing some of the world's most powerful lasers, CLF is one of the world's leading centres for multi-disciplinary science ranging from laboratory astrophysics and single molecular imaging to the pursuit of novel, miniaturized particle accelerators enabling advanced x-ray imaging capabilities for medical, industrial and security applications.  CLF has a rich history of innovation, starting with the origins of laser eye surgery to the patented technology for "through barrier" detection that is deployed in major airports around the world. CLF develops the next-generation laser technology to pioneer novel applications of extreme photonics to the benefit of wider society. This has led to two major initiatives that are about to start – the construction of a new 100M USD centre in CLF – the Extreme Photonics Application Centre (EPAC), which will apply high power lasers to "real world" problems and the Extreme Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Hyderabad, in partnership with TIFR, to develop new and novel technologies in this area.

I will elaborate on the science, technology and innovation of the CLF and give a flavour of the scientific and societal scope of its work, expanding on the EPAC facility and EPIC partnership with TIFR.