EPAC (left) will replace Gemini (right) which will be sunset once EPAC is operational
The Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) is combining investment from the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund, STFC and the Ministry of Defence to establish a state-of-the-art centre for the development and exploitation of laser-plasma based accelerators. Plasma based accelerators have unique properties and acceleration gradients some 10,000x greater than century old conventional radiofrequency approaches, of which there are around 30,000 globally. They therefore have the potential to dramatically impact all sectors where conventional accelerators are used: from understanding the building blocks of the universe to applications in medicine, industry and defence, providing disruptive capabilities.
What is sunset ? EPAC is the successor facility for the CLF's current Gemini facility (switched on 2008) which will be sunset once EPAC starts operations, expected in 2027. EPAC is built on a new site close to the existing CLF and once Gemini is decommissioned, its existing building R7 dating back to the origins of RAL will be demolished to make way for new STFC functions. Capacity and function have been built in for academic, industrial and national security & defence use.
