Peking University and Thales sign a contract to develop a very high peak power laser system in China

Thales will provide Peking University with state-of-the-art laser system to increase the University's research capacities in the field of laser particles acceleration.

This bold project follows the discoveries of Gerard Mourou,Professor at Ecole Polytechnique,and in particular his work on CPA (Chirped Pulse Amplification) for which Professor Mourou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018.

BEIJING,July 29,2020 -- On June 30,2020,Peking University and Thales signed a contract to develop a very high peak power laser system (2 PW) at 1Hz in China. This signature marks another successful milestone in Thales and Peking University's fruitful collaboration. It follows the signing in November 2019 of a strategic agreement for future cooperation in Scientific Research in the area of Physics that was signed in the presenceof French President Emmanuel Macron,Thales,Peking University and Ecole Polytechnique.

Huairou Science City Photo credit: Beijing Huairou Science City Management Committee

Through this collaboration,Thales will provide its expertise and state-of-the-art laser system to support Peking University in fulfilling the China's national key R&D program,namely "PW Laser Proton Accelerator Research & Application Demonstration Project" under "Major Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development" to be built at Beijing Huairou Science City. Being located over an area of 100 km² at north of Beijing,this national strategic site will gather the major Chinese research stakeholders.

Thales' laser system will enable the University to push further the works in the field of laser particle acceleration and help advance human understanding of the physics of matter. It is thefirst phase of acquisition that will be reinforced in the forthcoming China's 14th five-year plan (2021-2025).

The project follows the discoveries of Gerard Mourou,professor at Ecole Polytechnique,in particular his notorious work on CPA technique (Chirped Pulse Amplification),for which Professor Mourou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018. Gerard Mourou's work is the result of a longstanding laser-research partnership between his laboratory,the Applied Optics Laboratory (LOA)[1],and Thales,whose cutting-edge laser technology expertise expands the use of CPA to new boundaries every day.

"Thales has a strong experience in fostering cooperation with internationally renowned research laboratories and institutions. We are delighted to broaden our collaboration with Peking University to support scientific research in China. As a trusted partner forChinese industries in aerospace,transportation and digital identity and security,Thales actively supports scientific research in physics with the Academic world."

Pascale Sourisse,President,Thales International

As a leader in laser technologies,Thales has extensive experience in collaboration programs,each of which are adapted to the specific needs of its partners. The Group has worked with ninety research teams across the world over the past three decades. These collaborations include the PW BELLA system for Laser Wakefield Acceleration in Berkeley (USA),the Extreme Light Infrastructure for Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP),developed and commissioned by Romania,the SACLA facility for X-rays generation at Riken Harima in Japan or contributions to the French multi-PW project Apollon for Plasma Physic Research.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global technology leader shaping the world of tomorrow today. The Group provides solutions,services and products to customers in the aeronautics,space,transport,digital identity and security,and defence markets. With 83,000 employees in 68 countries,Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2019 (on a pro forma basis including Gemalto over 12 months).

Thales is investing in particular in digital innovations — connectivity,Big Data,artificial intelligence and cybersecurity — technologies that support businesses,organisations and governments in their decisive moments.

About Thales in China

Thales provides innovative solutions for the infrastructure that forms the backbone of China's growth. The Group has been present in China for around 40 years and is the trusted partner for the Chinese aviation and urban rail transportation industries. In the meanwhile,from secure software to biometrics and encryption,Thales has successfully applied its advanced technology to mobile communication,banking,IoT and software monetization etc. Thales has 3 JVs and employs 2,300 people with offices located in 8 cities in China. Thales established R&D centers and Innovation Hubs in Beijing,Dalian and Hong Kong to provide innovative solutions for both China and international market.

About Peking University

Peking University is a comprehensive and national key university. Its outstanding faculty includes 53 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,7 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering,and 14 members of the Third World Academy of Sciences.

Peking University has become a center for teaching and research and a university of a new type,embracing diverse branches of learning. It aims is to rank among the world's best universities in the future.

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[1] Applied Optics Laboratory (LOA – a joint research unit operated under the supervision of Superior National School of Advanced Techniques (ENSTA),the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Ecole Polytechnique) – LOA research activity covers a broad spectrum in ultrafast laser-plasma science.

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