The £3.5 million device has numerous scientific applications including medical imaging, radiotherapy and generation of radioisotopes for imaging and cancer therapy.
The University said that the device can deliver peak powers with the highest repetition rate of any laser currently operational in a university laboratory, and can briefly recreate the physical conditions found in stars.
It is situated at the Strathclyde-based Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA), which delivers research into next-generation accelerators and radiation technology.
Dr Gregor Welsh, a research fellow in Strathclyde’s Department of Physics and Laser Manager of SCAPA, said: “This is a world-leading laser for any university – indeed, we believe it is the highest average powered lab-based laser of its type anywhere in the world.
“It acts as a light source which drives the applications and produces x-ray pulses that are short enough to take snapshots of molecular or solid state processes.”
The laser has been funded by Strathclyde and by the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, a partnership involving Strathclyde committed to sharing resource, strategic planning and expertise in physics research. It was designed and built by Thales.
Professor Dino Jaroszynski, director of SCAPA, added: “Our acquisition of this type of laser reflects Strathclyde’s status as a world-leading centre of physics. Its important applications underline Strathclyde’s international reputation for research with impact. It also forms part of a valuable training facility for PhD students.”
