The UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has been awarded £85 million by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to upgrade its Vulcan system.
At the core of this endeavor is the construction of the Vulcan 20-20 laser, set to become the world’s most powerful laser system.
“Million, billion, billion” times brighter than the brightest sunlight
The upgraded Vulcan 20-20 laser is expected to be a “million, billion, billion times brighter than the Sahara Desert’s brightest sunlight,” according to STFC statement.
The Vulcan 20-20 laser will generate a main laser beam with an energy output of 20 Petawatts (PW) alongside eight high energy beams with an output of up to 20 Kilojoules (KJ).
“This is a 20-fold increase in power which is expected to make it the most powerful laser in the world.”
Professor Mark Thomson, Executive Chair of STFC and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Champion for Infrastructure, said that the “Vulcan 20-20 program will keep the Central Laser Facility at the cutting edge of the highest-power laser science and enable entirely new experiments in crucial areas such as renewable energy research.”
Potential applications
The Vulcan 20-20 laser holds the promise of unlocking insights across diverse scientific domains. From probing astrophysical phenomena like supernovae and solar flares to exploring the potential of laser fusion as a clean energy source, the possibilities are boundless.
The planned experiments encompass generating matter-antimatter pairs through powerful electromagnetic fields typically encountered in space and investigating a novel particle acceleration method with potential applications in ion radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
Harnessing the power of lasers for physics
CLF, renowned for its pioneering work in laser research, employs a suite of lasers to delve into the enigmatic realm of plasma — the fourth state of matter, distinct from solids, liquids, and gases.
Plasma emerges under extreme conditions, such as soaring temperatures and pressures, leading to unusual particle behavior. This, in turn, enables scientists to unravel fundamental matter properties with implications for vital technologies like batteries.
The Central Laser Facility has been a “driving force behind discoveries that have advanced our understanding of diverse areas from the fundamental properties of matter under extreme conditions to the formation of stars and planets,” Thomson said. To keep this facility at the forefront of science and to make new breakthroughs, “it is essential that we invest in the development and deployment of advanced high-power laser technology.”
UK Science Minister George Freeman said that the latest opportunity would also help reestablish Britain as home to the world’s most powerful laser. “By investing £85m to give our research community the edge in leading crucial scientific discoveries, we are also delivering hundreds of highly skilled jobs in science and engineering that boost the UK science sector and grow our economy,” he added.
