Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lasers have exhibited great potential as the light source for various spectroscopies, which, if they can be focused into a smaller beam spot, will not only allow investigation of mesoscopic materials but also find applications in manufacture of nano-objects with excellent precision. Towards this goal, scientists in China invented a 177 nm VUV laser system that can achieve a record-small (<1 μm) focal spot at a long focal length (~45 mm). This system can be re-equipped for usage in low-cost ARPES and might benefit quantum materials, condensed matter physics and nanophotonics.