Networking

NA1: Towards an extended Virtual Laser Infrastructure:

The goal is to present LASERLAB-EUROPE as a “Virtual Laser Infrastructure”, going beyond traditional networking concepts. The approach maps the essential organisational and networking functions onto a common internet platform, allowing for the network to act and appear as a functional unit with respect to all relevant activities like management, networking, Access, and research.

NA2: Publicity and Dissemination

This activity comprises all measures through which the LASERLAB initiative presents itself to the outside world, and attracts customers for its main operational fields, JRA and Access. In particular, a biannual newsletter is published, and the results of the JRA and Access projects are published.

NA3: Scientific and Technological Exchanges

The objective is to pool know-how and good practices, both for a number of essential practical issues: security issues, laboratory management, data acquisition procedures, etc.; and for crucial scientific issues of relevance for many LASERLAB-EUROPE participants.

NA4: User Community Training

In order to increase the efficiency of Access, and to give an equal opportunity to all new Users, a networking training action specifically aimed at new Users is pursued. Two main groups of researchers are targeted: totally new research groups, e.g., from new members states within the EC, whose participation in the Access program is gradually increasing; and younger scientists, at the doctoral or post-doctoral level.

NA5: Access Management and Monitoring Infrastructure-Users Connections

This activity aims at monitoring and improving the relations between Users and Access providing infrastructures at the Consortium level. In terms of the unified virtual infrastructure approach, where Access is an essential service to the community, this falls under “customer relations” and “quality control and improvement”.

NA6: Foresight Activities

Foresight Activities aim at planning the future of the field, of the participating infrastructures and of their mutual interaction, synergies and complementarities.

NA7: Networking Support for Staircase of Excellence (Network of National Contact Points)

The main task of this activity will be to establish a network of National Contact Points, linking the set of laboratories in new member states to the pre-existing LASERLAB-EUROPE Consortium.

NA8: Relations with non-European Laser Networks

The aim of the present networking activity is therefore to create links between the networks at the global level, and increase the international recognition of LASERLAB-EUROPE, by establishing formal connections with international bodies.