Gary Quinn
2018/2019
STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Heriot Watt University
Development of a diode-pumped solid-state laser system operating at 10 J, 100 Hz.
Efficient, high energy (from a few joules to kJ), high repetition rate (multi-Hz) pulsed laser systems are required for a wide range of scientific and commercial applications such as processing of high value industrial materials, high energy density physics research, advanced imaging techniques and novel medical treatments. To meet these needs, an innovative architecture, based on diode-pumped cryogenically-cooled solid-state laser technology, has been developed in the framework of the DiPOLE project at the STFC Central Laser Facility (Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire). Recent experimental results include the amplification of nanosecond pulses to energies above 100 J at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz. This represented the world’s first demonstration of a multi-joule diode-pumped solid state laser generating 1 kW average power. The proposed project will focus on the development and the application of next-generation DiPOLE systems, with a particular emphasis on the scaling of pulse repetition rate and with the final aim to develop a 10 J laser system operating at 100 Hz repetition rate. The candidate will be responsible for their own research activities throughout the lifecycle of the project, ranging from fundamental modelling and system design to installation and testing. The candidate will have the opportunity to investigate possible applications of the 10 J, 100 Hz system, such as the processing of industrial materials. This project, carried out in close collaboration with our research partners based at the HiLASE Facility in the Czech Republic, offers the candidate the opportunity to develop their research in a dynamic international environment alongside a large and diverse team of scientists, engineers and technicians.