Discover how our project intends to revolutionise laser performance through the development of activated sapphire thin-disk technology, a breakthrough innovation with the potential to underpin the next generation of high-power laser systems.
20 AUGUST 2026
Press Release
University of Southampton to Lead €3M European Project to Develop Next-Generation Laser Technology
University of Southampton researchers from the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), will lead one of only two UK coordinated projects selected for funding through the prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder 2025 programme.
The FAST (Functionalised Activated Sapphire Thin-disk) project has secured €3 million in funding as one of just 44 projects selected across Europe through the highly competitive EIC Pathfinder Open scheme, which supports visionary, high-risk research with the potential to create radically new technologies.
Led by Dr Jacob Mackenzie from the University of Southampton’s ORC, FAST aims to revolutionise laser performance through the development of activated sapphire thin-disk technology, a breakthrough material platform that could underpin the next generation of high-power laser systems.
The project brings together leading academic and industrial partners from across Europe, including Professor Harold Chong from University of Southampton’s School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS), the University of Stuttgart (Germany), Charles University (Czech Republic), and industry partners Optoman (Lithuania) and Amplitude (France).
The FAST consortium will develop sapphire-based thin-disk laser materials with enhanceds performance characteristics, enabling new levels of power, efficiency and reliability. Researchers believe the technology could unlock transformative applications in fields ranging from space science and advanced scientific instrumentation to high-value manufacturing and future industrial laser systems.
Dr Jacob Mackenzie, Principal Investigator and project coordinator, said:
“We are delighted that FAST has been selected by the European Innovation Council through
such a highly competitive process. This project will bring together world-leading expertise
in laser materials, device engineering and industrial laser development to create a new
class of laser gain medium based on activated sapphire.
“The potential impact is far-reaching. By developing what we believe could become a
‘super material’ for laser systems, FAST will aim for a ten-fold improvement in thin-disk-
laser performance that would drive new applications across science and industry.”
The EIC Pathfinder programme supports early-stage development of breakthrough technologies with the potential to create new markets and address major societal and industrial challenges. The programme is recognised as one of Europe’s most prestigious funding schemes for frontier research and innovation.
The project will run over three years capitalising on a multidisciplinary collaboration spanning materials science, photonics engineering and industrial laser development, helping strengthen Europe’s position at the forefront of advanced laser technologies.
-ENDS –
Notes to editors
About FAST
- FAST (Functionalised Activated Sapphire Thin-disk) is funded by the European
Innovation Council Pathfinder 2025 programme, Grant Agreement No. 101257260. - The project has received €3 million in funding.
- FAST is one of 44 projects selected for funding through the EIC Pathfinder Open call and one of only two projects led by UK institutions.
- Project partners include the University of Southampton, University of Stuttgart, Charles University, Optoman and Amplitude.
Media contact
Bav Dhanda – PR & Communications Manager, University of Southampton
Email: b.k.dhanda@soton.ac.uk