Laserlab-Europe AISBL Expert Groups
Laserlab-Europe has set up expert groups for topics of common interest, with a view to stimulating collective action and to strengthening the quality and impact of the research carried out in each facility.
The expert groups are open to members of Laserlab-Europe AISBL, to interested external stakeholders from the laser community and from companies that can become “registered collaborators”.
Laserlab-Europe offers outstanding innovation potential in the fight against cancer through novel laser-based photonic technologies and devices, revolutionising diagnostic capabilities and treatment efficacy. The activities range from fundamental research to pre-clinical trial and applied patient studies and encompass a broad spectrum of different instruments, from large scale scientific installation to hand-held medical devices that can be used directly in hospitals and clinics.
Laserlab-Europe holds a unique position to lead efforts involving photons for clean energy in Europe through multifaceted innovative approaches, by offering cutting-edge laser based technologies covering the entire value chain of technology development, as well as performing curiosity-driven research. The expert group members share research interests and expertise in the use of ultrafast lasers for processing and characterisation of materials to be used for clean energy production and storage.
The interaction of high-energy and high-power laser pulses with matter produces broadband particle and electromagnetic radiation. In particular, powerful
transient electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) are produced. EMPs pose a very important limitation onthe performance of high-power laser facilities and understandig its origin and the complex temporal and spatial distribution of these EM fields is important for the development of suitable EMP mitigation schemes for safe facility operation. The members of the expert group have extensive expertise on the research activities of laser generated EMPs, including modelling, diagnostics, mitigation and applications. Joint activities of the group will be of direct applicability to all modern laser plasma facilities and importantly to future laser-plasma acceleration and inertial-confinement-fusion plants, and potentially to next generation laser-driven hadron therapy systems.
High-power lasers are used worldwide for a very wide range of applications, in which the choice of the material constituting the target is crucial for the improvement of the experimental performances. Micro and nano-structured materials are the subject of an intense research activity by the international community due to the advantages they offer for applications. The expert group comprises members with strong common research interests and expertise in the experimental study of the features of the interaction of micro- and nano-structured materials with high power lasers. Their common interest in these research topics is driving the establishment of joint activities and collaborations.
The recent achievement at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) of nearly reaching fusion ignition with laser-driven technologies sets a historical milestone in fusion energy research. It makes inertial fusion a viable approach for future energy production. Europe has a unique opportunity to empower research in this field and the scientific community is prepared to engage in this journey. The Laserlab-Europe AISBL Expert Group in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)/Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) acts as a forum for discussing potential advances in the field within Europe and intends to develop a broad network of researchers across Europe, to promote and focus the activities of each institution to define mutual collaborations and prepare joint experimental campaigns.