Acquisition of Revolutionary Laser Technology
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Hyderabad is set to acquire a groundbreaking ultrashort pulse laser system by early 2026. This highly potent laser will be capable of generating an astonishing 10¹⁵ watts—a power output that dwarfs conventional sources and places TIFR as only the second institution in India to possess such technology, the first being RRCAT in Indore.
Unparalleled Laser Power and Scientific Reach
Describing its magnitude, Prashant Singh, a laser physicist at TIFR, likened the laser’s brightness to that of an everyday light bulb amplified a staggering one quadrillion times. Its power not only enables the ionization of any element, but also opens doors for advanced research in astrophysics and particle physics—areas previously constrained by technological limits.
Applications Beyond Fundamental Science
TIFR scientists envision transformative applications well beyond pure research. In medicine, for instance, this laser could revolutionize cancer treatment by offering faster, more precise targeting of cancer cells—minimizing damage to healthy tissues, unlike current radiotherapy or chemotherapy methods.
Building on TIFR’s Laser Legacy
This initiative builds on TIFR’s longstanding leadership in high-power laser science. At the Mumbai campus, the UPHILL facility houses a pair of advanced chirped-pulse-amplified Ti:Sapphire lasers—one producing 20 terawatts, the other 100 terawatts (pulses of ~30 femtoseconds)—achieving peak intensities of 10¹⁸–10¹⁹ W/cm² for frontier experiments in laser–matter interaction.
In addition, TIFR has already moved to expand its capabilities via its partnership with Amplitude, commissioning India’s first petawatt (1 PW), 1 Hz laser system to be installed at its Hyderabad campus. This new system will extend TIFR’s exploratory gamut into ultra-high-intensity physics, encompassing areas such as relativistic plasma dynamics, atomic and molecular physics, warm dense matter, particle acceleration, and novel imaging modalities—including high-energy electron and X-ray applications for biomedical and industrial use.
Global Collaborations in Laser and Accelerator Science
TIFR Hyderabad is also home to the Extreme Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC)—a £4 million UK–India collaborative venture with the UK’s Central Laser Facility (CLF). EPIC focuses on developing compact laser-driven particle accelerators, poised to impact fields ranging from non-destructive industrial testing to biomedical imaging. The facility underscores the confluence of laser, accelerator, and diagnostic research to yield real-world benefits.
Why This Development Matters
| Aspect | Significance |
|---|
| Scientific Advancement | Enables TIFR to perform cutting-edge work in ultrafast and ultra-intense laser physics, including astrophysical and particle dynamics studies. |
| Technological Innovation | Builds on existing state-of-the-art laser infrastructure (UPHILL facility, Amplitude petawatt laser) and the collaborative EPIC initiative. |
| Medical and Industrial Impact | Holds promise for breakthroughs in precision medicine, spectroscopy, imaging, and material research across sectors. |
| Global Research Collaboration | Amplifies India’s presence in next-gen laser science through partnerships and shared research infrastructure. |