ISSUE 115 MARCH 2025 INTERVIEW


PRODUCT NEWS


THE LASER USER


HARNESSING THE POWER OF FUSION FOR FUTURE ENERGY


AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS PETERS MANAGER, SPECIAL TECHNIQUES GROUP, UKAEA


After 12 years at Lumonics in Rugby, I left the laser industry and joined TWI. Seven years ago, I joined UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and later reconnected with the laser industry and AILU.


UKAEA is an executive non- departmental public body that sits within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Our mission is to lead the delivery of fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefits. Culham Campus, where I am based, is the main site and overall we have more than 2,500 employees across 4 sites in England. UKAEA has around 60 employees at the Fusion Technology Facility in


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Rotherham, where we have a 125 kW CW fibre laser.


Within UKAEA, I head up the Special Techniques Group which manufactures optical assemblies featuring glass to metal diffusion bonding – excellent for use as viewports for vacuum chambers. These have application in fusion energy and in adjacent sectors, such as quantum physics. Yes, I am now involved in selling windows!


I have also recently been seconded to a new spin out, Fusion Energy Partners, to share know-how via consultancy services with the fusion community.


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