Dstl careers: Dr Tim Kendall, principal scientist and laser physicist
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory's Dr Tim Kendall is one of very few academic laser experts in the UK, with his expertise recognised internationally.
Laser development is a next-generation technology that could revolutionise the battlefield and reduce the loss of life and equipment.
A route into laser physics
바카라 사이트淚 was doing a degree in Applied Physics, which included a year in industry at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. I worked with large and dangerous amounts of Krypton Fluoride on a laser system called 바카라 사이트楾itania바카라 사이트� for Inertial Confinement Fusion research, which is terra-watt peak powers in very short pulse duration.
바카라 사이트淢y job wasn바카라 사이트檛 glamorous in the slightest, and I understood next to nothing 바카라 사이트� but I found it all very fascinating. It was then I decided to change my degree to Optoelectronic Engineering (바카라 사이트楲aser Physics바카라 사이트�) in my final year.
바카라 사이트淔or my final year project I built a laser, which led to me being accepted on the PhD programme at the University of Southampton바카라 사이트檚 Optoelectronics Research Centre. After working as a research fellow for a couple of years I eventually ended up getting a job in industry building optical fibre lasers, but it was working in defence that really interested me - and that바카라 사이트檚 when I came to Dstl.바카라 사이트�
Dstl started the building and specification of lasers for air survivability, such as laser jamming of optically guided threats, with small inroads into the realms of laser protection and threat warning. While working at Dstl, Dr Kendall had the opportunity to help develop a basic Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) capability at the Porton Down electro-optic facility.
Dr Kendall now works within the energy weapons team, spreading his work between laboratory, office and home. He also leads all laser range activity, as the only Trials Conducting Officer with a licence to run laser trial at Dstl Porton Down.
As well as his work on the range, Dr Kendall is the Lead Laser Physicist for the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Programme, offering advice on technology development and experimental trials activities, with some involvement in laser safety.
The best job in Defence science?
바카라 사이트淚 get to push the boundaries of what is physically possible 바카라 사이트� in this case I get to make things very hot, very quickly, with a cleverly-engineered beam of single-frequency light.
바카라 사이트淚 get to work with like-minded people within Dstl, academia and industry, and I really believe that we are, by researching the subject, making the world a better and safer place.
바카라 사이트淓very day at Dstl is different, there is very rarely a boring day, I love problem solving and I enjoy my work, which I think very few people get to say.
바카라 사이트淒id I mention that I get to burn stuff with a big laser?바카라 사이트�
Work-life balance
바카라 사이트淚 have a very demanding daughter at home and Dstl have gone out of their way to let me know she comes first. I get to spend time pushing my daughter on a swing, so what바카라 사이트檚 really not to like about that work-life balance?바카라 사이트�
Next step for laser science
Dr Kendall is looking forward to seeing his work in action. Once the science has been fully determined, the first laser weapons will undergo user testing on a number of Royal Navy and British Army platforms.
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