Lasers for life, and much more!

In science fiction, lasers are nearly always portrayed as a weapon of destruction, used to destroy space ships and win battles. In the real world, lasers are powerful research tools that can be used to investigate lots of questions, from understanding cancer cells to helping unlock the potential of fusion energy. Far from being a destructive force, lasers are used to correct people’s eyesight, remove tattoos and operate CD players.

STFC’s Central Laser Facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is one of the world’s leading laser facilities. Research at this facility helps us understand more about our environment, diagnose and treat diseases, produce potential new energy sources and even prevent terrorism. Lasers can even be used in art history to identify the chemical composition of pigments in paint, and in archaeology to analyse the bones of sailors who sailed on the Mary Rose.