The CFI Invests Over $20 Million for the First Canadian-Based International Laser Research Facility

April 2, 2004

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VARENNES, April 2, 2004—A first ever state-of-the-art multi-beam laser system will be developed in Canada and position the country as an international leader in a variety of areas such as earlier breast cancer detection. With an investment of $20.95 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) project—formed by a consortium of Canadian and international universities—will allow researchers from around the world to manipulate matter and probe its dynamics in a way that is not currently possible.

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The funds will be used to develop the multi-beam femtosecond laser system, comprising five lasers, which will function at a wide range of wavelengths. The development team includes world-leading researchers based in Canada, as well as world-leading researchers drawn from the best institutions in the United States, France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Germany, Sweden, and Japan.

“This project has captured the imagination of the international laser research community,” said Carmen Charette, interim President and CEO of the CFI. “The CFI’s investment will enable Canadian and international researchers to develop a fundamental laboratory tool which will make them leaders on a global scale in areas such as biology, medicine, chemistry, and physics.”

The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec joined Carmen Charette today at a national announcement in Varennes, Quebec. “Funding from the CFI for the first-ever multi-beam laser represents a strong example of the strength in Canada’s leadership role and position on the international stage in research and innovation,” said Minister Robillard.

"This investment represents an important step forward in supporting the highest levels of research excellence," said Minister Pettigrew. "This international project will bring recognition to the excellence of Canada's internationally renowned researchers and the essential role they play in improving the lives of Canadians."

The funds are awarded to a consortium of eight Canadian universities, administratively led by Dr. Jean-Claude Kieffer at l’Université du Québec—Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS). In all, 76 researchers will have the opportunity to use this unique equipment for their research initiatives.

This announcement is the eighth of nine large-scale international research projects being funded under the CFI’s two International Funds—the International Joint Ventures Fund and the International Access Fund. TheInternational Joint Ventures Fund, which includes projects such as ALLS, supports the establishment of a small number of very high profile research infrastructure projects in Canada to take advantage of extraordinary research opportunities with leading facilities in other countries that will bring significant benefits to Canada.

The CFI is an independent corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other non-profit research organizations to carry out world-class research and technology development.

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