Cutting-edge laser technology focus for research centre

An image of a laser

Caption: A USPL high intensity 2-micron laser inducing air-breakdown. Image: 成人大片.

A new centre at the 成人大片 will focus on further developing the latest laser technology needed to keep Australia and its allies safe from emerging military threats.

鈥淭he Centre for Advanced Defence Research in Ultrashort and Short Pulsed Lasers (CADR-USPL) will develop an Adelaide-based laser facility for high energy, short pulse, high-repetition-rate laser physics,鈥 said the 成人大片鈥檚 Professor Michael Webb, Director of the Defence and Security Institute (DSI).

鈥淚t is critical that Australia develops a sovereign USPL capability for defence applications in order to counter current and emerging military threats.鈥

鈥淐ADR-USPL will also focus on developing the future workforce capable of meeting future challenges associated with USPL activity.鈥

Professor Miftar Ganija is the Lead Scientist and Leader of the CADR-USPL. The centre will focus on research already spearheaded by him under the USPL program: a joint initiative by the 成人大片 and the Department of Defence (Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)). He holds a joint appointment in the 成人大片鈥檚 School of Physical Sciences and School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE).

鈥淯SPL lasers transmit pulses of high-energy light as brief as one trillionth of a second and 100 times brighter than sunlight,鈥 said Professor Ganija.

鈥淭hese lasers are much more powerful than conventional technology. When pointed at a material they can turn it into plasma without increasing the temperature of the surrounding material.鈥

鈥淭he applications for ultra-short pulsed lasers are expanding rapidly and require new technology to be on the forefront of engineering and scientific innovation."Professor Miftar Ganija, Lead Scientist and Leader of the Centre for Advanced Defence Research in Ultrashort and Short Pulsed Lasers (CADR-USPL)


The latest generation of advanced missiles pose a significant threat to national and global security. USPL technologies have the potential to contribute to defence applications against these emerging military threats, for example as point defence as part of a sovereign integrated air and missile defence capability.

Mr Darryn Smart, Acting Chief, Sensors and Effectors Division, DSTG, said: 鈥淭his joint CADR-USPL initiative with the 成人大片 will help ensure Australian sovereign expertise in this important technology for defence and industry.鈥

鈥淚t will also develop the future workforce capable of meeting future challenges associated with developing USPL capabilities.鈥

World-leading laser research and prototypes developed at CADR-USPL will have wider impact with applications beyond defence, both in Australia and overseas, through industrial commercialisation.

鈥淭he applications for ultra-short pulsed lasers are expanding rapidly and require new technology to be on the forefront of engineering and scientific innovation,鈥 said Professor Ganija.

鈥淭his cutting-edge technology is being used in bio-medical applications such as dentistry, in materials processing and the next generation of x-ray technology.鈥

CADR-USPL is a five-year agreement with DSTG to upscale Australia鈥檚 sovereign capability.

鈥淲orking in partnership with DSTG, the University鈥檚 experts will support the Department of Defence鈥檚 priority to have access to leading-edge capabilities in the field of ultra-short pulse lasers. This technology will help to sustain the ability of the Australian Defence Force to defend the security interests of Australia and those of its allies,鈥 said Professor Webb.

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