The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC (ELI) and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their collaboration in laser-plasma interaction, particle acceleration using laser-produced plasmas, and related technological applications.
The agreement brings together ELI’s large-scale high-power laser infrastructure and HHU’s established research programme in strong-field laser-plasma physics. It provides a framework for a long-term partnership, including joint research, scientific exchange and the development of technologies for future accelerator and radiation-source applications.
“As a pioneer of strong-field laser-plasma physics in Germany and Europe, HHU is a particularly important strategic partner for us,” says Roman Hvězda, ELI Beamlines Facility Director. “The innovations, which have originated over the years and can be implemented in Düsseldorf closely complement the long-term development of ELI as a major European research infrastructure facility.”
Laser-plasma accelerators use intense laser pulses to generate particle beams over much shorter distances than conventional accelerators. Their compact scale could make advanced accelerator technologies available to a broader range of universities and research institutions, while supporting applications in medicine, life sciences, materials research and quantum electrodynamics.
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding builds upon existing scientific interactions and reflects the strong alignment between the strategic priorities of both institutions. Through the partnership, ELI and HHU intend to strengthen collaboration in advanced laser-plasma accelerator concepts, secondary particle and photon sources, and emerging applications enabled by compact accelerator technologies
“The relationship between ELI and HHU is founded on a high degree of scientific complementarity,” says Dr. Daniele Margarone, Science Director at ELI Beamlines. “HHU contributes internationally recognised expertise in accelerator physics, plasma photoinjectors, and transformative accelerator concepts, while ELI provides unique large-scale experimental capabilities and laser-plasma acceleration technologies. Together, we can accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into next-generation research infrastructures and applications.”
A particularly important area of cooperation is on the EuPRAXIA, the European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence initiative, which aims to establish world-leading plasma accelerator facilities, including EuPRAXIA@ELI at ELI Beamlines. Researchers from HHU have made significant contributions to the scientific foundations and technological innovations underpinning EuPRAXIA initiative.
“ELI is an ideal partner for us at European level. Our expertise, experimental possibilities and strategic plans are an extremely good fit,” says says Professor Bernhard Hidding, leader of the strong-field laser physics research group at HHU. “Our innovations and scientific expertise have already provided important foundations for the design of EuPRAXIA@ELI – another major project on the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap with the goal of implementing an x-ray laser at ELI – and the aim is for key developmental aspects to be realised using the infrastructure currently being established in Düsseldorf.”
Through the agreement, ELI and HHU aim to connect research carried out at a university-scale laser facility with experiments at one of Europe’s largest high-power laser infrastructures. This approach will support the development and testing of new accelerator concepts before their implementation at ELI, while creating further opportunities for researchers and students from both institutions.
