A Center of Excellence, established by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

The CLA is a multi-disciplined and collaborative graduate research center, fostering and promoting research in the applications of lasers for diagnostics and materials processing. Our mission is to advance laser applications in spectroscopy and materials synthesis through education, innovation, and service.

Our capabilities include combustion systems and jet engine/space propulsion systems development, laser materials processing, ground-based (simulated) aerospace testing, electro-optics, non-linear optics, quantum optics, molecular spectroscopy, and laser induced assisted chemical reactions. 

The CLA unites faculty and researchers from different disciplines Including Bio/Nano-photonics, Material Science, Laser Material Interaction, Laser Spectroscopy, Laser based Measurement/Diagnostics, and Non-Equilibrium Fluid Physics. The strengths and interest of our established capabilities are unique for both the state and the nation and prove critical for many industrial, defense, and basic science applications.