FEL strategy

Recognising the importance of Free Electron Lasers (FELs) for the UK science community, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) commissioned a strategic review of FEL science and facility access.

The purpose of the strategic review is to guide STFC’s planning over the next five years. It gives clear guidance on the importance of FELs, how the user community should grow and the need for a timely decision on the UK building a FEL.

STFC will work with the other UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research councils to support the growth of the UK FEL user community. The strategic review will inform STFC’s programme planning. The need for pump-priming investment in the basic technology required to develop a FEL will be balanced with the rest of the STFC programme.

STFC will work with the government to secure support and investment for a new large facility in the UK and ensure we are in a position to make a decision to proceed with the development of a FEL facility in 2020.

As with all of STFC’s underpinning research and innovation strategies, the FEL strategic review will contribute to the delivery of STFC’s strategic goals of world-class research, innovation and skills.

Last updated: 31 March 2022

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