Wednesday 15 May 2013 

Speaker: Dave Clarke (RAL/CLF)


Title: "Lasers for Life: The Central Laser Facility Programme in the 
        Research Complex at Harwell" 

Abstract: The Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), opened in 2010, 
is funded by all the UK scientific research councils and is intended 
to promote multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, focussing 
on use of the large scale facilities on the Harwell campus. The CLF 
operates two laser facilities in RCaH: ULTRA, for ultrafast spectroscopy 
using visible and infrared light, and OCTOPUS, which offers a range of 
advanced optical imaging techniques. Both facilities are used for 
research in a wide range of areas, including fundamental chemistry, 
catalysis, materials, and biological science. The latter is a growth 
area for the CLF and ranges from plant science to research into the 
diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. I will describe ULTRA and 
OCTOPUS, and give some examples of the latest research going on at the 
facilities. I will also discuss ways in which the CLF is working 
closely with Diamond Light Source and ISIS to provide insights into 
important problems such as the development of cancer and the way in 
which atmospheric chemistry might affect climate change.