| More than 25 years ago it took a nuclear | | | | researchers to attract and build a level of |
| explosion under the Nevada desert to power | | | | expertise in the general area of plasma |
| the world's first x-ray laser. The new x-ray | | | | physics, previously beyond the reach of an |
| laser at Queen's will be powered by another | | | | in-house university-scale research program in |
| optical laser, which the university said is | | | | the UK, the university said. |
| one of the most powerful optical lasers | | | | |
| available in any university laboratory | | | | "X-ray lasers can be used to probe and |
| worldwide. The Engineering and Physical | | | | diagnose very dense plasma conditions of the |
| Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) awarded | | | | type, for example, anticipated in the core of |
| £2.1 million several years ago for the | | | | fuel pellets compressed by powerful optical |
| construction of the Taranis to create | | | | lasers. It is tremendously exciting that |
| extremely hot plasmas. | | | | Queen's laser systems are now capable of |
| | | | carrying out world-leading experiments |
| "Plasmas are the 'fourth state of matter,' | | | | involving laser-plasma interactions in |
| along with gases, liquids and solids. In | | | | extreme conditions," Lewis said. |
| fact, 99 percent of the observable universe, | | | | |
| including the stars we see in the sky, is in | | | | "The need for an increased effort in plasma |
| the plasma state," said professor Ciaran | | | | physics research and for more trained plasma |
| Lewis of Queen's Centre for Plasma Physics. | | | | physicists is driven by the expanding use of |
| | | | plasmas in a wide range of applications in |
| Four hundred times more powerful than the | | | | industry, including the effort to determine |
| entire UK National Grid when in operation, it | | | | if laser-produced nuclear fusion can provide |
| is known as Taranis (terawatt apparatus for | | | | for the world's post-oil power needs," he |
| relativistic and nonlinear interdisciplinary | | | | said. "Highlighting these two new systems to |
| science). Named after the European Celtic god | | | | our international research colleagues will |
| of thunder and lightning, it relies on a very | | | | ensure Queen's Centre for Plasma Physics and |
| powerful infrared laser system which has been | | | | its researchers remain to the fore of global |
| recently installed within the Centre for | | | | breakthroughs in the area of high energy |
| Plasma Physics at Queen's. | | | | density physics. We are anticipating many new |
| | | | international collaborations. |
| Both laser systems will enable Queen's | | | | |