Development of advanced high energy, high pulse rate laser architectures for industrial, healthcare and scientific applications.

The DiPOLE laser architecture developed at the STFC Central Laser Facility combines high pulse energy with high pulse rate at high efficiency. Recent results include the amplification of 10 ns pulses to 146 J at 10 Hz with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 30%. With further development, this technology has the potential to revolutionise materials processing and drive new diagnostic capabilities for high value manufacturing and healthcare.

DiPOLE technology will also be at the heart of EPAC, a new UK national research centre hosting a petawatt laser operating at an unprecedented 10 Hz repetition rate. EPAC will explore applications in material technology, advanced radiography and fundamental science.

This project will focus on the development of "next generation" DiPOLE architectures with a particular emphasis on solutions supporting improvements in output pulse energy, efficiency and bandwidth.

The candidate will be responsible for their own research activities, ranging from theoretical modelling to prototyping. Research will span the development of advanced laser extraction architectures, investigation of alternative gain materials and innovative pumping solutions. The candidate will have the opportunity to implement some of the solutions identified as part of this project in the EPAC system and assess the commercial exploitability of DiPOLE technology.

This project will push DiPOLE systems to next level and analyse energy capabilities beyond 150 J. It will explore new multi-pass architecture for the amplifier, improved control of parameters (e.g. polarization), as well as using mixed gain media materials for amplification of shorter pulses.

Complementing our Pathways to Impact document, here we state the expected real-world impact, which is of course the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.38M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.56M).

Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.

(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.

(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published to disseminate this knowledge.

(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.

(4) Impact on Society
Photonic imaging, sensing and related devices and analytical techniques underpin many of products and services that UK industry markets either to consumers or to other businesses. Reskilling of the workforce with an emphasis on promoting technical leadership is central to EPSRC's Productive Nation prosperity outcome, and our CDT will achieve exactly this through its development of future industrially engaged scientists, engineers and innovators. The impact that these individuals will have on society will be manifested through their contribution to the creation of new products and services that improve the quality of life in sectors like transport, dependable energy networks, security and communications.

Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expected from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact of greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.