Research Chair for Industrializing Laser-Plasma Accelerators for Non-Destructive Testing
Headed by Rodrigo-Lopez Martens of LOA’s PCO group and partnering with LOA’s spin-off company Sourcelab, the research chair CALYCO (Chaire pour l’Accélérateur Laser-Plasma Ytterbium Commercial) has been launched on July 2nd 2026 at Ecole polytechnique.
Funded by the Pierre Lamoure Institute via the Fondation de l’École polytechnique, this initiative aims to develop an industrial-grade laser-plasma accelerator and gamma-ray source for non-destructive imaging, enabling high-resolution inspection of critical components in aeronautics, automotive, and energy sectors.
The LOA, the only French lab currently advancing this technology, will combine its pioneering expertise on laser-plasma acceleration with its recent work on adapting ytterbium lasers, already used in industrial machining, to achieve the ultra-short pulses and high peak power required. The goal is to revolutionize quality control by enabling microscopic defect detection at unprecedented depths and speeds.