DiPOLE Systems

About DiPOLE Systems

DiPOLE Systems commercializes advanced laser technology for sectors including manufacturing, defense, security, and energy. The company is a spin-out from the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Harwell Campus near Oxford, building on over five decades of research. This heritage has culminated in the development of a world-leading laser architecture that combines high pulse energy with high repetition rates.

The company was launched in April 2026, announcing an initial close of £3.6 million for its £6 million seed funding round, which was co-led by Blackfinch Ventures and Empirical Ventures. The CEO is Dr. Tom Butcher, who noted that the team has been developing this technology at the CLF for the past 15 years and is now focused on taking it from the laboratory into real-world applications.

DiPOLE Systems designs and delivers high-energy, high-average-power diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) systems. This technology platform supports both nanosecond and femtosecond laser sources. Initial applications are focused on areas where the technology can provide immediate value, such as countering drones and other unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as advanced and penetrative imaging for industrial and infrastructure inspection. The company is also collaborating with partners to explore future uses in fusion energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and radiation hardening.

The technology has been validated through its installation and operation at major international research facilities, demonstrating its reliability and scalability. The DiPOLE concept enables laser systems with significant energy, pulse-rate, and efficiency. For instance, the DiPOLE 100-X laser, developed with the CLF, can deliver up to 10 high-energy pulses per second, which can be used to create extreme pressures and temperatures for materials science research. By commercializing this technology, DiPOLE Systems aims to strengthen the UK's sovereign capability in photonics while pursuing global market opportunities.