CLF Technology

Technology

The Central Laser Facility's scientific output is underpinned by our technical and technological support and developments.

CALTA
STFC established the Centre for Advanced Laser Technology and Applications (CALTA) to develop new laser technology. The technology we are developing will keep the CLF at the forefront of international laser capability.
Cobalt Light Systems Ltd
Cobalt Light Systems uses a method invented at the CLF for identifying the chemical composition underneath the surface of materials, including beneath the skin and liquids in bottles.
Engineering
The Engineering team provides engineering support for experiments, from design and manufacture to safety systems and diagnostic development.
Extreme Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) is a joint UK-India innovation initiative.
We are developing technology for the next-generation of accelerators using lasers.
L3 Technology Ltd
STFC patented technology forms the basis of spinout company L3 Technology Ltd (L3T) founded to develop the concept for medical applications.
Laser tweezers
CLF was requested and funded by ICI to develop laser tweezers for fundamental measurements of colloidal forces related to commercially relevant products such as paints.
OPCPA
A paradigm shift technology pioneered both theoretically and experimentally at CLF, Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplification (OPCPA) has permitted high power lasers to break the 1PW ceiling limit and reach new levels of extreme powers.
Pulse contrast enhancement
We recently filed a new patent concerning the use of transmission gratings to significantly enhance pulse contrast in high power laser systems.
Scitech Precision Ltd
Scitech Precision Ltd was setup in 2009 capitalising on several decades of accumulated CLF expertise in the fabrication of specialist micro-targets for high power laser experiments.
Target Fabrication
The Target Fabrication group builds and characterises micro-targets for high power laser experiments.