Partners - ULLC

Description: The University of Latvia Laser Centre is the largest laser facility in Latvia, which is organised as an infrastructure open to external Users. Its laser pool provides wavelength coverage from UV to near IR and the necessary laser diagnostic tools. The research activities are organised in four laboratories of ULLC: Atomic  and Molecular Physics Laboratory; Molecule Optical Polarization Laboratory; Molecular Beam Laboratory;  Laboratory of Astrospectroscopy. The available experimental equipment includes supersonic molecular beams equipped for optical and mass spectrometry and imaging, ultra-high resolution Fourier transform spectrometry (Bruker ISF-125), magneto-optical trap (under construction), opto-magnetic and electro-optic experiment modules. Further extension of the laser park is currently under way via investment of EU Structural Funds.
ULLC is well connected with the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy of the UL, which conducts research on laser based biomedical applications (like skin diagnostics and treatment, photoplethysmography) and on theory of atoms in strong laser fields.

University of Latvia Laser Centre  is the contracting partner representing University of Latvia in the LASERLAB EUROPE project. Two structural units of the University - the Laser Centre  and the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy are involved in the project activities.

Excellence: Researchers of the UL have demonstrated excellence (evidenced by publications in journals like  Phys. Rev. Lett., Phys. Rev. A, J. Chem. Phys. etc. and published monographs) in the fields of laser  manipulation of atomic and molecular quantum states; non-linear coherent electro-optical and magnetooptical effects in atoms and molecules, also in nano-size (d ~ 100 nm) cells; structure and dynamics of diatomic molecules; long-range potentials of atom pairs and prospects for cold molecule formation; noncontact mapping of electric field by optical methods; experimental study of atomic hyperfine structure with application in astrophysics; chemical composition of stellar atmospheres.

Main tasks: Two University of Latvia units are involved in the project activities:

	NETWORKING (User Community Training, WP NA4) The Laser Centre will organise a general training school, two dedicated Baltic-Northern European training schools, as well as technical workshops and regional colloquia on laser based research and applications;
	JRA 4 OPTBIO (Bio-medical imaging, WP 3C2) The Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy  will investigate the clinical potential of a newly developed technology – imaging of laser-excited tissue autofluorescence fading rates.

Previous experience: Organisation of regular international conferences and workshops on laser based  research and applications; training visiting postdocs and PhD students from EU and non-EU states via Marie- Curie actions of the Framework Programmes and INTAS young scientist support chemes.

Address:

Laser Centre
University of Latvia
Zellu Str. 8
LV-1586 Riga
Latvia

Phone: +371-67033754

www.lasercentre.lv/