ELI Beamlines is part of the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) project, a new Research Infrastructure of pan-European interest and part of the European Strategy Forum on Research (ESFRI) Roadmap . ELI will be a multi-sited Research Infrastructure with complementary facilities located in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania for the investigation of light-matter interactions at the highest intensities and shortest time scales. The laser intensity will be more than six orders of magnitude higher than today’s state of the art.
ELI Beamlines is located in Dolní Břežany on the outskirts of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
ELI Beamlines is managed by the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
ELI Beamlines in 2018
The end of 2018 represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the ELI Beamlines project as the largest investment that the Czech Republic has made in the area of research and development.
The ELI Beamlines project was launched in August 2011 following the ELI Preparatory Phase coordinated by this year by Nobel laureate Gerard Mourou.
After almost 7.5 years, the project that was divided into two phases - Phase I 2011-2015 and Phase II 206-2018 will be completed in December 2018.
The great efforts of more than 300 people employed at ELI Beamlines and broad international collaboration have enabled the construction of a unique research infrastructure to a successful end.
A laser research center is based on laser systems.
In 2018, we succeeded in delivering three laser systems (L1-Allegra and L3-HAPLS and L4-Aton) that both the technology used and the current parameters represent milestones in laser development worldwide.
An example of excellent international collaboration with INFN (Italy) demonstrated by the delivery of the ELIMAIA-ELIMED system for laser-based ion acceleration as well as the launch of the first HHG source.
As part of the transition towards user operation, we delivered to external users 1200 hours on 4 experimental stations. That provides ELI Beamlines with a solid foundation for the first call to the international scientific community in 2019.
ELI Beamlines Strategic Development Plan 2018 – 2024
ELI Beamlines Strategic Development Plan 2018 - 2024
Mission
The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) project is part of an European plan to build a new generation of large research facilities selected by the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The mission of the ELI Beamlines is to run an international laser research facility for revolutionary scientific experiments and applications in different areas. ELI will mate its scientific, engineering and medical missions for the benefit of industry and society.
Society Benefits
As a European research infrastructure, ELI Beamlines will strengthen the European position in laser research and add opportunities for the European photonics industry. Applied research at ELI ranges from improvements to oncology treatments, medical imaging, fast electronics, and our understanding of aging nuclear reactor materials through to the development of new methods of nuclear waste processing.
Organization
The ELI Beamlines is directed by the director of the Institute of Physics CAS. Three separate high-level functions exist in the project – Science and Technology, Project Management and External Affairs.
ELI – 3 pillars
With initial funding from the European Union and local governments, the Extreme Light Infrastructure ELI is a multi-sited Research Infrastructure for the investigation and applications of laser matter interaction at more than 6 orders of magnitude higher intensities than today’s state of the art.
ELI White Book
The ELI Whitebook was published in 2011. It contains the description of the science, the technology basis and the implementation plans of the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI).
International Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC)
ISAC is an advisory body to the director of the Institute of Physics. ISAC's main task is to recommend the strategies for implementing key laboratory systems to achieve the technical competency of its activities to meet the objectives of individual research programs and to develop strategies to attract users and develop user programs.
Cooperation
Since its very beginning, ELI Beamlines has been closely connected with various scientific institutions around the world. This scientific exchange will be even intensfied when ELI starts to work as a user facility. And beyond its scientific cooperations, ELI Beamlines will promote aggressive technology transfer.
Education
The ELI Beamlines project is focused on being instrumental in raising awareness of students, teachers, and the general public in the area of laser technology through a rich program of educational activities. We organise lectures at high schools and universities, conferences, workshops, and offer regular tours into the ELI Beamlines center, along with summer schools involving the participation of international students. This project also offers guidance and consultation for diploma and PhD theses and is involved in events that popularize science and research.