Can fibre be the future of high-energy physics?

A new laser architecture based on fibres could open the door to applications beyond particle physics

The International Coherent Amplification Network (ICAN) Consortium recently concluded its EU-supported feasibility study with a symposium at CERN. A major topic concerned progress with the novel laser architecture known as coherent amplification network (CAN). In this concept, tens of thousands of fibres could be controlled to provide a laser output powerful enough to accelerate electrons to energies of several giga-electron-volts. With the potential to provide an average power in the megawatt range, the CAN architecture would also open the door to many applications beyond particle physics, based on compact proton accelerators. 

Read more: "Can fibre be the future of high-energy physics?" – CERN Courier