Femtosecond Lasers and Timing (FTL)
The Femtosecond Laser and Timing Group (FLT) plays a key role in supporting ASTeC’s mission by designing and operating advanced optical systems for UK accelerator facilities and technology projects.
Our expertise spans:
- Laser systems for user science
- Optical timing and synchronisation
- Optical metrology for surface science
We work closely with facility users to ensure their experimental needs are met, collaborating with colleagues across the Cockcroft Institute, STFC Technology Department, and STFC Central Laser Facility.
Featured Capabilities and Projects
High-Intensity Laser System for the CLARA User Facility
The FEBE beamline, part of the CLARA user facility, is a unique European platform combining access to high quality electron bunches with high intensity optical pulses from a 120 TW laser system. FLT is responsible for operating the laser system and managing delivery to target within the FEBE hutch.
Our team is happy to offer their expertise to support a wide range of experimental proposals, including:
- Advanced acceleration techniques
- Plasma physics
- High-intensity optical–particle beam interactions
RUEDI Ultrafast Laser Suite
The upcoming RUEDI National Facility, hosted by STFC Daresbury Laboratory, will deliver world-leading capabilities in ultrafast electron imaging and diffraction. FLT is leading the design (and future operation) of the ultrafast laser suite, which will provide users with on-demand broadband optical sources spanning UV–IR–THz.
Key features of the RUEDI suite include:
- Tuneable broadband sources based on collinear and non-collinear OPA technology
- Few-cycle sources and advanced timing control for femtosecond resolution
- High intensity optical pulses for Matters in Extreme Condition research
We are working closely with the RUEDI UK Science Team to ensure the suite delivers high impact research from Day 1.
Optical Synchronisation for XFEL Facilities
FLT, in collaboration with ASTeC’s RF and Cryogenics Group, holds unique expertise in optical timing systems. The technologies we develop can achieve single-femtosecond timing precision over kilometre-scale distances.
Key areas include:
- Ultra-low phase noise oscillators
- Fibre-based pulsed timing distribution
- Femtosecond-precision laser–laser and laser–RF synchronisation
We collaborate with world-leading experts at DESY at their facilities in Hamburg, and our expertise is supporting AWAKE at CERN.
Optical Metrology for Surface Characterisation
FLT operates precision surface metrology equipment supporting ASTeC’s photocathode and surface science programmes. Housed in our dedicated Optics Metrology Laboratory (OML). Our tools include:
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
- Fizeau Interferometry
- White Light Interferometry
These systems enable nanometre and sub-nanometre resolution surface measurements, and we are happy to provide access to broader STFC and external users.
