• URLLE
  • University of Rochester
  • URLLE
  • University of Rochester
  • News
  • About
    • More Information
      • Partnerships
      • Awards, Honors, and Fellowships
      • LLE Timeline
      • Omega Laser Facility Users Group
      • Laboratory Basic Science
      • National Laser Users’ Facility
      • Videos Featuring LLE
    • Our Team
      • Senior Leadership
      • Management Team
        • Administrative Division
        • Engineering Division
        • Experimental Division
        • Laboratory Safety
        • Laser and Materials Technology
        • Omega Laser Facility Division
        • Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering Division
        • Theory Division
      • Office of the Director
    • Careers
    • Visitor Information
      • LLE Visitor Information Form
      • Map to LLE
      • LLE Tours
  • Omega Laser Facility
    • Omega Laser Systems
      • OMEGA Laser System
      • OMEGA EP Laser System
      • Joint Operations
    • Operations
      • Omega Laser Facility Schedule
      • OMEGA Launchpad
      • OMEGA EP Launchpad
      • Operations Personnel
    • Operations Groups
      • Beamlines
      • Laser Amplifiers
      • Power Conditioning
      • Drivers
  • MTW Laser Facility
    • Operations
      • MTW Launchpad
      • MTW Laser Facility Schedule
      • MTW FAQ’s
      • MTW Performance Envelope
  • Education
    • Graduate Studies
      • Graduate Program Faculty and Contacts
      • Computational Astrophysics
      • HED Physics
      • Inertial Confinement Fusion
      • Laser–Plasma Interaction
      • Radiative Hydrodynamics
      • Plasma Astrophysics
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Summer High School Research Program
  • Research Areas
    • High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Experiments
    • Innovative Concepts
    • Omega Experiments
    • Plasma Physics
      • Laser–Plasma Interactions
      • Ultrafast Laser–Plasma Physics
      • Ultrafast Laser-Plasma Diagnostics
      • Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments
      • Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering Graduate Students
      • PULSE Researchers
    • High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Theory
    • Integrated Modeling
  • Publications
    • LLE in Focus
    • LLE Review
    • Annual Report
    • Theses
      • LLE Theses
      • Theses from NLUF and other External University Student Research
  • Safety Zone
    • Medical Emergency
    • Safety Training
    • LLE Incident Reports
    • Radiological Safety
    • Safety Disclaimer
    • Safety Resources
  • News
  • About
    • More Information
      • Partnerships
      • Awards, Honors, and Fellowships
      • LLE Timeline
      • Omega Laser Facility Users Group
      • Laboratory Basic Science
      • National Laser Users’ Facility
      • Videos Featuring LLE
    • Our Team
      • Senior Leadership
      • Management Team
        • Administrative Division
        • Engineering Division
        • Experimental Division
        • Laboratory Safety
        • Laser and Materials Technology
        • Omega Laser Facility Division
        • Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering Division
        • Theory Division
      • Office of the Director
    • Careers
    • Visitor Information
      • LLE Visitor Information Form
      • Map to LLE
      • LLE Tours
  • Omega Laser Facility
    • Omega Laser Systems
      • OMEGA Laser System
      • OMEGA EP Laser System
      • Joint Operations
    • Operations
      • Omega Laser Facility Schedule
      • OMEGA Launchpad
      • OMEGA EP Launchpad
      • Operations Personnel
    • Operations Groups
      • Beamlines
      • Laser Amplifiers
      • Power Conditioning
      • Drivers
  • MTW Laser Facility
    • Operations
      • MTW Launchpad
      • MTW Laser Facility Schedule
      • MTW FAQ’s
      • MTW Performance Envelope
  • Education
    • Graduate Studies
      • Graduate Program Faculty and Contacts
      • Computational Astrophysics
      • HED Physics
      • Inertial Confinement Fusion
      • Laser–Plasma Interaction
      • Radiative Hydrodynamics
      • Plasma Astrophysics
    • Undergraduate Program
    • Summer High School Research Program
  • Research Areas
    • High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Experiments
    • Innovative Concepts
    • Omega Experiments
    • Plasma Physics
      • Laser–Plasma Interactions
      • Ultrafast Laser–Plasma Physics
      • Ultrafast Laser-Plasma Diagnostics
      • Relativistic Laser-Plasma Experiments
      • Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering Graduate Students
      • PULSE Researchers
    • High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Theory
    • Integrated Modeling
  • Publications
    • LLE in Focus
    • LLE Review
    • Annual Report
    • Theses
      • LLE Theses
      • Theses from NLUF and other External University Student Research
  • Safety Zone
    • Medical Emergency
    • Safety Training
    • LLE Incident Reports
    • Radiological Safety
    • Safety Disclaimer
    • Safety Resources

Quick Shot

  • November 19, 2024

LLE and Sydor Technologies Awarded $1.15M DOE Phase II SBIR Grant for Fusion Research

LLE-Sydor-SBIR-Phase II

The University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is collaborating with a technology transfer partner Sydor Technologies, which has been awarded a $1.15 million Phase-II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) for their project “Plasma-Electrode Pockels Cells for Inertial Fusion Facilities.” This academic–industry collaboration aims to advance the development of optical devices for high-powered laser systems. The project will focus on commercializing mid-scale plasma-electrode Pockels cell (mPEPC) technology—an electro-optic component essential for enabling and reducing the cost of future fusion facilities.

The mPEPC technology offers several key benefits for inertial fusion applications:

  • – Facilitates multipass laser amplification, maximizing performance while reducing costs and facility size.
  • – Enables high-power, high-energy modular lasers necessary for scalable inertial fusion systems.
  • – Integrates optical isolation and retroreflection protection within high-energy laser systems without additional optical components.
  • – Pioneers future commercial facility designs by enabling various modular and economically reproducible configurations.

By addressing these critical aspects of laser system design and performance, the mPEPC plays a vital role in advancing inertial fusion research and development. mPEPC technology was developed by LLE under National Nuclear Security Administration funding for next-generation laser technologies.

Dr. David Garand, Principal Investigator at Sydor Technologies, stated, “This grant provides the opportunity to work hand in hand with the experts at LLE while leveraging facility resources to construct a first-article mPEPC electro-optic cell and to further refine plasma-electrode Pockels cell technology. The Sydor team is excited to continue working toward commercializing this technology and to make it accessible for broad adoption.”

Dr. Christopher Deeney, Director of LLE, commented, “Our historic partnership with Sydor Technologies exemplifies the power of collaboration between research institutions and industry. This project will accelerate the transition of cutting-edge fusion technologies from the lab to commercial applications.”

Nicholas West, President of Sydor Technologies, added, “This Phase-II SBIR grant reinforces our commitment to advancing fusion research. By commercializing key technologies like the plasma-electrode Pockels cells, we’re supporting both established national laboratories and emerging startups.”

The project builds on Sydor Technologies’ record as a key manufacturing partner for inertial fusion facilities and researchers. The long-standing relationship between Sydor Technologies and LLE has been instrumental in facilitating technology transfer from research institutions to commercial applications. The Phase-II SBIR award expands this partnership beyond advanced diagnostics to laser system technologies.

Past Quick Shots

More Posts

Victor Zhang and Will Trickey posing in front of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics branding wall.

LLE Scientists Included in the 2024 Physics of Plasmas Early Career Collection

Petros Tzeferacos.

University of Rochester and LLE Faculty and Collaborator Receive 2025 PECASE Award

IFE STAR logo on dark background of the earth and sky at night with the United States highlighted in purple with white and green dots all over the country connected by sweeping lines.

LLE Launches IFE-STAR Ecosystem, Conference, and Workforce Development Initiatives

LLE’s Cryogenic and Tritium Facility Sets New Record in 2024

For Employees

  • URLLE
  • Resources
  • Safety
  • URLLE
  • Resources
  • Safety

Resources

  • Nondiscrimination Statement
  • Nondiscrimination Statement

Quick Links

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • News
  • About
  • Careers
Linkedin

Contact

  • Webmaster
  • LLE Phonebook
  • 250 E. River Rd, Rochester, NY 14623-1299
  • Webmaster
  • LLE Phonebook
  • 250 E. River Rd, Rochester, NY 14623-1299

© 1996 - 2025 Laboratory for Laser Energetics