Laserlab-Europe Talk: From Telescopes to Fusion Powerplants: Real-Time Adaptive Optics for High-Power Lasers
2024-12-18 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin)
Title: From Telescopes to Fusion Powerplants: Real-Time Adaptive Optics for High-Power LasersSpeaker: Jonas B. Ohland (GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research)Date: Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 16:00 CET
The Apollon Real-Time Adaptive Optics (ARTAO) system addresses air turbulence-induced Strehl ratio fluctuations in Apollon, the 10 PW Ti:Sapphire laser system in France. With a 50 m multi-pass amplifier and a 140 mm beam diameter, turbulence previously caused significant beam quality instability. To resolve this, the open-source AO platform CACAO, originally developed for the Subaru Observatory, was adapted for real-time beam stabilization using a continuous pilot beam. This marks a pioneering application of astronomical AO technology in ultra-high-intensity lasers.
Supported by the EC funded THRILL project under its wavefront stabilization task, ARTAO demonstrates a stability sufficient to achieve an on-shot Strehl ratio above 0.96 by evaluating 2.6 thousand wavefronts per second and controlling a deformable mirror at 1.3 kHz.
This technology has great potential for future applications: in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) powerplants, real-time AO will be indispensable for operating hundreds of laser beamlines at 10 Hz, delivering MJ-scale pulses with minimal aberrations. By integrating AO into Adaptive Laser Architecture (ALA), these systems can overcome thermal challenges and meet the demands of fusion energy production.
This presentation will detail ARTAO’s development, initial results, and its potential role in the future of high-energy laser systems.

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Laserlab-Europe Talk: Laser-surface processing for green Hydrogen and energy storage applications, 29 Jan 2025
2025-01-29 16:00 - 17:00
Title: Laser-surface processing for green Hydrogen and energy storage applications
Speaker: Panagiotis A. Loukakos (IESL-FORTH)
Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 16:00 CET
Venue: Online

In this talk I will present our recent work on the application of laser-surface processing in the fabrication of nanostructured metallic electrodes. These electrodes have been found to exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties and they have been used in water-splitting electrochemical cells where we have found that they produce almost 5 times as much Hydrogen when compared with flat metallic electrodes. The enhanced Hydrogen evolution reactivity and electrochemical properties are attributed to the concomitant enlargement of the electrode’s electrocatalytic area due to the nanostructured surface. The details of the experiments as well as the impact of applications of lasers in the energy and environmental sectors will be discussed.

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This Laserlab-Europe Talk is coorganised by Lasers4EU and 360Carla.

Lasers4EU Activity Board meeting, 5 March 2025
2025-03-05 10:00 - 12:00
The Activity Board of the Lasers4EU project will meet on 5 March 2025, 10:00-12:00 CET.
The link to connect will be shared by the Laserlab-Europe office.

This is a project internal event.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Revealing bacterial subcellular structure with three-dimensional multicolour super-resolution microscopy, 5 March 2025
2025-03-05 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Chiara Caldini (LENS)
Cellular compartmentalization is the separation of the cellular interior into distinct compartments, each with specific conditions and materials, that enable the simultaneous execution of different metabolic processes. This organization is essential for regulating cellular functions, as it enhances efficiency by minimizing the loss of intermediate products. While the compartmentalization of eukaryotic cells is well understood, much less is known about the prokaryotic one. For a long time, prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, were believed to lack subcellular organization, with biochemical reactions occurring in a disordered manner. However, recent studies on metabolic pathways suggest a certain degree of subcellular organization within bacteria too that would facilitate enzyme proximity to enhance reactions kinetics. Although molecular biology provides different techniques, such as two-hybrid systems, to analyse molecular interactions, imaging approaches are necessary to provide nanoscale spatial information about those interactions.
In our work we demonstrate how by combining Photo-Activated Localization Microscopy (PALM) with Expansion Microscopy (ExM) it is possible to perform three-dimensional simultaneous single-molecule co-localization and measure intermolecular distances with nanometres precision. The Ex-PALM approach is applied to study the spatial distribution of two enzymes, HisF and HisH, of the histidine metabolic pathway in Escherichia Coli bacteria whose interaction has already been demonstrated by previous studies. Using a plasmid-based transformation, each protein was tagged with a photoactivable fluorescent protein (HisF-PAGFP, HisH-PAmCherry) to enable single-molecule localization with nanometres accuracy. A negative control sample with two non-interacting enzymes, HisH and aaC, was also prepared to confirm our hypothesis that only interacting proteins co-localize.
To validate our theory, we first improved three-dimensional multicolour PALM imaging by reducing crosstalk and chromatic aberrations. This step was essential, as these aberrations are comparable in scale to the intermolecular distances of interest, and failing to correct them would compromise single-molecule localization accuracy, making it impossible to analyse densely packed subcellular structures, such as those found in bacteria. Next, we optimized the ExM protocol to achieve a 4.5-fold isotropic expansion of bacteria, enabling the study of bacterial subcellular organization. To prove the reliability of our analysis method, we applied it on both simulated and real data and found consistent results.

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Lasers4EU Webinar: Technology transfer and patenting: from fundamental research to a business model. The example of LaserLeap Technologies, 26 March 2025
2025-03-26 17:00 - 18:00
Speaker: Carlos Serpa (University of Coimbra & LaserLeap)

This webinar will explore the journey from fundamental research to a viable business model within a technology-based university spin-off. Using the case of LaserLeap Technologies – a medical and aesthetic device company founded in 2011 by a professor, a researcher and a doctoral student – we will examine key aspects of technology transfer, development, financing and intellectual property. Rather than simply showcasing successes we will highlight the challenges faced, including technical, economic and regulatory barriers and how the company adapted its business model over time.Ultimately the webinar will emphasize the dynamic process of bridging the gap between academic innovation and the business world.

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Laserlab-Europe Talk: Boosting multiphoton 3D printing for biomedical engineering: small features, high impact, 2 April 2025
2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Irina Alexandra Paun (INFLPR)

The biomedical engineering sector is one of the most rapidly growing industrial areas, bringing together engineering, medicine and biology, to develop novel technologies for medical treatment. Modern biomedical engineering advanced the concept of “reverse engineering”, which means building micro- and nano-structures with functional biomimicry by extracting design parameters from biological systems, such as from cell types and shapes, and from the complex 3D architectures of extracellular matrix microenvironments. Cells seeded on these 3D micro/nano-structures attach, interconnect, proliferate, and finally form masses of cells organized in 3D architectures closely resembling the natural tissue. These micro/nano-structures are currently used not only for fundamental mechanistic studies on the development, regeneration, and repair of damaged human tissues, but also for diagnostics, disease modeling, drug delivery, and personalized medicine.
In this talk, I will present our recent results on the fusion between reverse engineering and laser processing, within the scope of current challenges in medical treatments. Specifically, I will show how we “boosted” a conventional 3D printing technique, known as Laser Direct Writing via Two-Photon Polymerization (LDW via TPP), for biomedical engineering. LDW via TPP has been extensively used for fabricating structures with complex 3D architectures, for biomedical use. It is known that LDW via TPP offers low operational costs, rapid processing time, high spatial resolution, and full reproducibility of the obtained structures, mandatory for systematic in vitro studies. In our work, we targeted the development of innovative, synergistic combinations of 3D micro/nano-structures fabricated by LDW via TPP and specific structure characteristics such as composition, morphology, and surface chemistry. This approach allowed us to obtain better control over attachment, growth, and, in some cases, differentiation of various cell types, e.g. osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and glial cells. We further improved the effectiveness of the laser-printed structures by volumetric integration of electrically and magnetically responsive biomaterials into the “backbone” of the structures. The electrically or magnetically “active” 3D micro/nano-structures allowed us to accelerate certain processes involved in tissue regeneration by externally applied electric or magnetic stimuli.
We expect this approach to emerge in advanced biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, wound dressings, and advanced drug delivery systems, with the final goal of refining patient-oriented treatments.

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Lasers4EU Access Board meeting, 15 April 2025
2025-04-15 14:30 - 16:00
The Access Board of the Lasers4EU project will meet on 15 April 2025, 14:30-16:00 CET.
The link to connect will be shared by the Laserlab-Europe office.

This is a project internal event.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Optical modification of graphene for applications, 23 April 2025
2025-04-23 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Mika Pettersson (Laserlab-NSC)
Graphene and other 2D materials have many excellent properties but seldom they can be used as such in advanced applications. One option is to chemically modify and functionalize 2D materials. However, many applications require spatially selective functionalization and patterning. Laser-based methods offer many advantages in this regard. A common optical material modification technique is laser ablation. However, for graphene, more interesting condition is just below the ablation threshold, where non-linear excitation of material takes place. Under these conditions, graphene reacts with adsorbed oxygen and water present in ambient air, leading to oxidative functionalization without breaking the carbon lattice integrity [1]. Interestingly, optically induced local functionalization of graphene leads to many opportunities for development of applications via processes such as: modification of electronic properties [1], locally selective immobilization of proteins [2,3], area-selective atomic or molecular layer deposition [4,5], modification of optical properties [6], tuning of the response of sensors [7], or affecting molecular self-assembly [8]. The methods can be applied for development of sensors, (opto)electronic devices, flexible and transparent electronics, bioelectronics, and so on.
In this talk, I will introduce controlled oxidative functionalization of graphene by femtosecond laser excitation and show several examples of how this method can be used to facilitate development of functional devices.
References[1] J. Aumanen et al., Nanoscale, 7, 2851-2855 (2015).[2] E. D. Sitsanidis et al. Nanoscale Adv. 3, 2065 – 2074 (2021).[3] A. Lampinen et al. RSC Appl. Interfaces, 1, 1305 (2024).[4] K. K. Mentel et al. Adv. Mater. Interfaces 9, 2201110 (2022).[5] A, V. Emelianov et al. https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2024-81qv0, ChemRxiv[6] V.-M-. Hiltunen et al. J. Phys. Chem. C, 124, 8371 – 8377 (2020).[7] A. Lampinen et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 25, 10778 – 10784 (2023).[8] J. Schirmer et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 25, 8725 – 8733 (2023).

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Lasers4EU Workshop on standardised performance assessment, 12 May 2025, Didcot, UK
2025-05-12 15:00 - 18:30 | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus,, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
The Lasers4EU Workshop on Standardised Performance Assessment is part of the official program for the Laserlab-Europe AISBL Annual Meeting 2025.

Preliminary agenda
12 May 2025
14:10 – 14:20: Introduction: key aim, formal requirements, timeline, agenda of the day14:20 – 16:00: Exemplary cases on performance assessments16:00 – 16:30: Coffee break16:30 – 17:00: Round Table– Role of Research infrastructures as reference centres in EU projects for validation– Methodology: Guidelines/Protocols and Implementations for Standardised Performance Assessment– Data management– Open Data– Best practices during User Access17:00 – 17:20: Clustering to compile Shared Guidelines– Collection of information and feedback from all participants– First attempt to identify Clusters for drafting guidelines17:20 – 17:30: Next actions– Definition of the Standardisation Survey (Milestone)– Next meeting

Lasers4EU Training Event: Women in Photonics, 1-5 June 2025
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-05
The international workshop “Women in Photonics “ will be held from 1 to 5 June 2025 in Jena, Germany. This event is organised by the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, a member of the Laserlab-Europe AISBL.
This year’s edition is organised with the support of Lasers4EU and 360Carla, a project with which we closely collaborate.

Workshop focus:

Optical health technologies – diagnosis, monitoring, therapy
Biomedical microscopy, bio-analytical methods, medical chip systems
Biophotonics such as vibrational spectroscopy, fluorescence, OCT, PAT, etc.
Laser based technology
Photonic data science (AI, deep learning, machine learning)
Optical engineering
Fiber optics/fiber technology

Targeted audience:
The workshop addresses female postdocs and PhD students working in these research areas, who want to present their own work and build up new networks. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange with experienced scientists from academia and industry and jointly develop strategies for a successful professional career.
Registration Details:
Deadline: April 4, 2025 – specific deadline for members of Laserlab-Europe AISBL, Lasers4EU and 360Carla.
Eligible participants: Female scientists affiliated with Laserlab-Europe AISBL members and partners of the Horizon Europe Projects 360Carla and Lasers4EU.

Register here

More information

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Glass drilling with femtosecond laser in GHz-burst mode, 18 June 2025
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:00
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Speaker: Inka Manek-Hönninger (University of Bordeaux, CNRS-CELIA)
Femtosecond laser materials processing in the GHz-burst mode has attracted much attention in the last few years [1,2], especially for top-down percussion drilling in dielectrics thanks to the outstanding machining quality of the holes [3]. In this contribution, I will first give an introduction to femtosecond laser GHz-burst processing. Then, I will show some results on glass drilling including pump-probe shadowgraphy with a temporally shaped femtosecond laser beam operating in the GHz-burst regime [4]. The pump laser source is a 100-W average power industrial femtosecond laser system emitting at a wavelength of 1030 nm that can be operated in the single pulse, in MHz-burst and in GHz-burst regime. Pump-probe imaging in the burst regime in far from being trivial. Indeed, a second laser is needed operating in single pulse regime for the probe beam. In order to perfectly synchronize the probe beam with the pump beam, a portion of the pump oscillator was injected into a Yuja-based amplifier from Amplitude. Thanks to this setup, we were able to measure the luminescence time of the plume in both burst regimes and to compare it to the regime of standard repetitive single pulses. Moreover, we monitored the plume behavior during the drilling process of through holes revealing interesting information about the drilling process dynamics, its limits and solutions to overcome them.
References

C. Kerse, H. Kalaycoglu, P. Elahi, B. Cetin, D. Kesim, et al., Ablation-cooled material removal with ultrafast bursts of pulses, Nature 537, 84–88 (2016); https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18619
P. Elahi, O. Akçaalan, C. Ertek, K. Eken, F.O. Ilday, et al., High power Yb-based all-fiber laser delivering 300 fs pulses for high speed ablation cooled material removal, Opt. Lett. 43, 535-538 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.43.000535
P. Balage, J. Lopez, G. Bonamis, C. Hönninger, I. Manek-Hönninger, Crack-free high-aspect ratio holes in glasses by top-down percussion drilling with infrared femtosecond laser GHz-bursts, Int. J. Extrem. Manuf. 5, 015002 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-7990/acaa14
P. Balage, T. Guilberteau, M. Lafargue, G. Bonamis, C. Hönninger, J. Lopez, I. Manek‐Hönninger, „Pump-Probe Imaging of Ultrafast Percussion Drilling of Glass in Single Pulse, MHz- and GHz-Burst Regimes”, Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 2400853 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400853

Laser Spectroscopy and Photonic Technologies for Circular Economy: Advancing Sustainable Innovations in Material Research and Diagnostics, 19-20 June 2025
2025-06-19 - 2025-06-21 | Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
The workshop “Laser Spectroscopy and Photonic Technologies for Circular Economy: Advancing Sustainable Innovations in Material Research and Diagnostics”, is a dynamic event dedicated to exploring the transformative role of photonic technologies in fostering sustainability and innovation.
This workshop will primarily focus on laser spectroscopy, imaging, and sensing technologies, exploring their critical role in material research, diagnostics, and sustainable innovation. Participants will gain insights into how these advanced photonic techniques enable precise material characterization, real-time monitoring, and efficient resource management—key drivers for circular economy solutions. Through expert talks, hands-on sessions, and interactive discussions, the workshop will highlight the versatility and impact of these technologies across research and industry.
The program will also feature a poster session, providing a platform for researchers and students to present their work, exchange ideas, and foster new collaborations.
Two hands-on sessions will offer participants practical experience in:

Hyperspectral Imaging – exploring its powerful capabilities in material analysis and diagnostics.
Laser Spectroscopy – delving into its versatile applications in environmental monitoring, quality control, and material characterization.

Apply until 31 May 2025

Who should attend

This workshop is designed for a diverse audience of researchers, professionals, and students who are interested in the intersection of photonic technologies and sustainable innovation. It will be particularly valuable for:

Researchers and Academics working in material science, photonics, environmental science, chemistry, and related fields who want to explore advanced diagnostic tools and sustainable applications.
Industry Professionals from sectors such as recycling, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and quality control seeking innovative solutions for material analysis and circular economy practices.
Graduate and PhD Students aiming to expand their knowledge and hands-on experience in hyperspectral imaging and laser spectroscopy.

Whether you are driven by scientific curiosity, industrial innovation, or sustainability goals, this workshop offers valuable insights, networking opportunities, and practical skills tailored to your interests.

Hands-on sessions

Hyperspectral Imaging
Unlike traditional RGB imaging, which captures only three spectral bands, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) collects the entire spectrum from every point in the field of view, producing the “spectral cube”: a stack of images taken at a large number of wavelengths. HSI synergistically combines the spatial correlations typical of imaging with the chemometric information provided by spectra, thus enabling the identification of materials in an inhomogeneous sample. This technology has been widely used since the 1970s in several fields such as remote sensing, medical imaging, astronomy, agriculture, and conservation science, and can now become a key technology for sorting materials in the circular economy.
Laser Spectroscopy
This hands-on experimental demonstration will provide participants with a practical understanding of how to use laser spectroscopy techniques for the analysis and characterization of surfaces and materials. The following techniques will be demonstrated:

LIBS: Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy enables the determination of the elemental composition of materials on the basis of the characteristic atomic emission from a micro-plasma produced by focusing a high-power laser on, a solid surface. It is widely used in various analytical applications for qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative material analysis. LIBS is a rapid, micro-destructive technique that can be performed both at close range and remotely (from distances of up to hundreds of meters). It can be used for bulk analysis, depth profiling (elemental distribution with depth), and 2D and 3D chemical mapping.
Raman: Raman spectroscopy is a well-established analytical technique that probes vibrational and other low-frequency modes in molecules and materials. As a result, it provides an accurate look into chemical bonding, thereby enabling identification of various types of materials, both inorganic and organic. Raman spectroscopy features high sensitivity and specificity, it is rapid, non-destructive, and can be performed in situ. When performed using a Raman microscope, it offers superb spatial resolution and minimal analysis time.

Following a brief introduction to the fundamental principles and instrumentation of both techniques, participants will have the opportunity to use a Raman microscope and a micro-LIBS instrument (developed at IESL-FORTH) to analyse various materials. Participants are encouraged to contact us in advance if they wish to bring their own samples for potential analysis during the demonstration.

The workshop is organised within the frame of project ReMade@ARI (REcyclable MAterials DEvelopement at Analytical Research Infrastructures) co-funded by the European Union as part of Horizon Europe (GA No 10105841).
The event is endorsed by Laserlab-Europe through EU’s Horizon Europe co-funded project Lasers4EU (GA No 101131771).

Lasers4EU Access Board meeting, 29 August 2025
2025-08-29 14:30 - 16:00
The Access Board of the Lasers4EU project will meet on 29 August 2025, 14:30-16:00 CEST.
The link to connect will be shared by the Laserlab-Europe office.

This is a project internal event.

Lasers4EU General Assembly 2025, 4 September 2025
2025-09-04 10:00 - 16:30
One year in, and the Lasers4EU community has already laid strong foundations. The 2025 General Assembly is the opportunity to come together to reflect on the achievements of our first year of collaboration and to coordinate the next steps for the project. This meeting marks an important milestone as we continue working together—not only to meet the objectives agreed with the European Commission, but above all to provide meaningful services to our scientific community, thereby fostering innovation and progress.
The meeting will be held online and the detailed agenda is available here.
We look forward to your active participation!

Registration

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Laserlab-Europe Talk: Laser ablation propulsion: high power pulsed laser irradiation and advanced experimental investigation
2025-09-17 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Séverine Boyer (MINES-Paris/PSL)
Orbital debris removal in low Earth orbit (LEO) opens the way to a new paradigm in space propulsion. The use of high-power pulsed laser interaction (HP PLI) offers a perspective in this field. This concept is based on laser ablation. The high-power HiLASE beamline facility (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic), with Perla-B and BIVOJ, is used as a laser facility enabling high-energy, short-pulse, repetitive irradiation. First, the performance of laser ablation propulsion (LAP) will be presented by measuring the coupling coefficient (Cm) using a specially designed ballistic pendulum coupled with a Photonic Doppler Velocimetry system and an angle measurement using laser deflection. Second, to illustrate such an application, a “V-track” system will be introduced with the quantification of the laser/matter interaction-induced velocity of ablated targets. Model materials are used (metal and polymers). The laser conditions are suitable for the prospect of laser propulsion with limited creation of additional debris.

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Lasers4EU Webinar: Open science and the societal impact of scientific research, 24 Sept 2025
2025-09-24 16:00 - 17:00
The presentation explores the principles and practices of Open Science, highlighting how increased transparency, accessibility and collaboration in research can enhance its societal relevance and impact. Will be also examined the key pillars of Open Science – including open access, open data, and citizen science – and how these contribute to democratizing knowledge, fostering innovation, and improving public trust in science. Furthermore, the session will address the ways in which scientific research can drive evidence-based policymaking, address societal challenges, and contribute to sustainable development. How adopting open practices can strengthen the relationship between science and society.

Title: Open Science and the Societal Impact of Scientific ResearchSpeaker: Susana Jarmelo (University of Coimbra)Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 16:00 CEST

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See the presentation slides here

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Electromagnetic pulse generation by sub-nanosecond kilojoule laser pulses, 8 Oct 2025
2025-10-08 08:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Jakub Cikhardt (Czech Technical University)
The interaction of a focused high-power laser with matter results in the generation of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). In the case of terawatt and petawatt lasers, the intensity of the EMP is strong enough to interfere with diagnostic signals and may cause malfunction or distortion of electronic devices. Moreover, the laser-driven EMP could cause problems in experimental basic research, inertial nuclear fusion, laser-plasma biomedicine and other high-power laser technologies. On the other hand, the mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood, making it an interesting topic for the fundamental physics of laser-matter interaction. Therefore, the laser-driven EMP is intensively studied at the PALS laser facility – a joint research infrastructure of the Institute of Plasma Physics and the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in cooperation with other world-leading institutions such as the Univ. of Bordeaux, CLF Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, CLPU Salamanca, ENEA C.R. Frascati, and others.
In recent years we have achieved some interesting results, such as

the observation of unprecedentedly broad EMP bandwidths;
the dependence of the EMP spectrum shape and upper cut-off frequency on the laser beam energy/power, target material and target ground impedance;
the relation between EMP emission and the escaped electron energy spectrum;
the influence of the wave plate on the emission of charged particles and EMP; and
the characterization of the EMP caused by laser interaction with various gas targets.

As part of this research, a number of EMP diagnostics have been developed, such as inductive target current probes, high-voltage target probes and B-dot arrays, and electro-optical probes have been tested. We believe that this research will contribute to EMP mitigation, will enrich fundamental physics knowledge, and will also lead to numerous high-tech applications, such as electromagnetic compatibility hardening, biology and defense.

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Lasers4EU & 360 Carla Training: High‐Power Lasers for Industrial Applications, 16-17 Oct 2025
2025-10-16 - 2025-10-17 | HiLASE, Dolni Břežany, Czech Republic
Lasers4EU and 360Carla training “High‐Power Lasers for Industrial Application“ will be held on 16 and 17 October 2025 in Dolní Břežany, Czechia. This event is organised by HiLASE Centre Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, a member of the Laserlab-Europe AISBL.
The training is funded by the Horizon Europe projects Lasers4EU and 360 Carla, and aims to provide participants with practical experience and technical know-how on the use of high-power lasers in industrial settings.
Participation in the training is free of charge!
Please note that participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation and covering any related expenses.

Topics covered during the training:

Introduction to high‐average-power diode-pumped solid-state laser systems (e.g., thin-disk lasers, multi-slab lasers)
Fundamentals of selected laser-based techniques and applications:

Laser Shock Peening (LSP)
Laser-Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT)
Laser Micromachining (LMM)
Overview of advanced characterisation devices
Hands-on training at HiLASE facilities

Design of experiment
Laser treatment
Evaluation of results
Laser safety principles

Target audience:

University students and early-stage researchers
Researchers and scientists aiming to develop expertise in laser-based technologies
Engineers and professionals working in manufacturing and industrial applications
Non-specialist users from various scientific fields seeking to integrate laser technologies into their work
Industry representatives and new users interested in leveraging high-power laser facilities for research and development

Number of participants accepted: 12, due to limited space in the labs
Check the detailed programme here

Lasers4EU Activity Board meeting, 30 October 2025
2025-10-30 11:30 - 12:30
The Activity Board of the Lasers4EU project will hold its next meeting on 30 October 2025 from 11:30 to 12:30 CET.
Connection details will be provided by the Laserlab-Europe Office.
Please note: this is an internal project event.

Lasers4EU Training: Hands-on Course on MINDLAB: Manipulating and Investigating Neural Dynamics for Learning and Ageing in the Brain, 4-7 Nov 2025
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-07 | Castelldefels, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
The core faculty of the ICFO-MINDLAB, a think tank working jointly towards a transdisciplinary understanding of the brain, offers a school to introduce cutting edge technologies to study neuroscience at the molecular, cellular and systems level to students in a combination of lectures and hands-on experience leading to group projects.
What is MINDLAB?
MINDLAB stands for “Manipulating and Investigating Neural Dynamics for Learning and Ageing in the Brain” and is an interdisciplinary creative playground rooted squarely in academic rigor, comprising of research groups from ICFO and beyond. We focus on advancing fundamental knowledge on how the mind emerges from the behavior of individual molecules, neurons and brain networks but also creating and commercializing transformational future technologies with outstanding potential to impact our society for good.
Hence, this course will expose participants to the state-of-the-art of photonics-based technologies tailored to monitor a hierarchy of scales in the study of the brain: i.e. from single molecules up to the whole organism.
The MINDLAB faculty includes world leading experts in their fields. The expertise of the core faculty is complemented by a diverse set of affiliated adjunct faculty from various research centres in Barcelona but also through clinical and corporate partners.
This year’s school will open with the Annual Meeting of the Barcelona Medical Photonics Network (BMPN). BMPN is a platform to promote the research and development activities in photonics being carried out in the Barcelona region through long-standing collaborations between ICFO and its biomedical and clinical partners. Always centered around a targeted clinical area, this forth edition of the BMPN annual meeting is perfectly aligned with the scope of MINDLAB. By addressing real-world healthcare challenges, BMPN will set the stage for the training program, providing essential context and inspiration for participants. The speakers and audience will include clinicians as well as technology developers and innovation managers, from the Network but also professionals and collaborators from outside the region.
Hands-on sessions
Participants will engage in lab sessions focused on the latest photonics technologies. Each lab session will provide participants with an opportunity to work directly with advanced equipment and gain valuable practical skills.
The sessions will take place in the following labs:

Super resolution Light microscopy and Nanoscopy
Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology
Medical Optics
Photon Harvesting in Plants and Biomolecules
Single Molecules Biophotonics

Eligibility
We welcome applications from motivated students and early-stage researchers across a range of disciplines: physics, optics, engineering, electronics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and related fields.
Priority will be given to master’s-level and advanced undergraduate students, though PhD candidates and young postgraduates are also encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
There is NO fee for students to attend the school.
Applicants must submit:

A Curriculum Vitae, including contact details.
A statement of purpose outlining their motivation for attending the school.

Applications must be submitted online, and all required application material must be complete in order to be considered.
The deadline for applications is September 30, 2025.Successful applicants will be notified during the week of October 6, 2025.
For any questions, please contact us at frontiers@icfo.eu

More information

Register here

HZDR Data Management Days 2025 - Shaping Research Data Practices with Lasers4EU
2025-11-11 13:00 - 17:00
This year’s HZDR Data Management Days will take place from Tuesday, 11 November (1 p.m.) to Wednesday, 12 November (3 p.m.), featuring a mix of lectures and interactive workshops.The programme on 12 November is only for internal participants.
In the context of advancing digitalisation and an ever-increasing need for reproducibility, this year’s event will focus on the data and software management landscape in general and at HZDR in particular.
HZDR colleagues will share insights into typical challenges in data and software management and present practical solutions developed in their daily work.
On 11 November, the lectures will be held in a hybrid format and are open to external participants. Lasers4EU partners are warmly invited to join the online sessions.
A session of particular relevance for the Lasers4EU community will address data management planning using RDMO (Research Data Management Organiser). As funding agencies increasingly require Data Management Plans (DMPs) defining how data and metadata are handled during and after projects, the HZDR instance of RDMO, accessible via Helmholtz ID, supports collaborative preparation of DMPs, even with external partners.
Within this context, the Lasers4EU project serves as a potential use case for tailoring generic DMP questionnaires to specific needs, distinguishing between questions for proposing scientists, access-providing facilities, and repository providers. The session will therefore be of direct interest to Lasers4EU partners involved in data management, access coordination, and research infrastructure development.
For more information and the full programme, please visit HZDR Data Management Days 2025

Register here

Lasers4EU Industrial Advisory Committee meeting, 17 November 2025
2025-11-17 10:00 - 11:30
The first meeting of the Lasers4EU Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) will take place on 17 November 2025, bringing together representatives from industry and project partners to help guide the project’s strategic direction.
IAC members are expected to provide professional and technical input on key aspects of the project, including exploitation opportunities, innovation needs, and the incorporation of industry perspectives into the design and evaluation of project activities. Their contributions will help ensure that Lasers4EU remains closely aligned with market demands.
Please note: this is an internal project event.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Nonlinear optical diode effect in a magnetic Weyl semimetal, 26 Nov 2025
2025-11-26 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Christian Tzschaschel (University of Zurich)
Weyl semimetals have emerged as a promising quantum material system to discover novel electrical and optical phenomena, due to their combination of nontrivial quantum geometry and strong symmetry breaking. Here, I will present the observation of the nonlinear optical diode effect (NODE) in the magnetic Weyl semimetal CeAlSi, where the magnetic state of CeAlSi introduces a pronounced directionality in the nonlinear optical second-harmonic generation (SHG). By physically reversing the beam path, we show that the measured SHG intensity can change by at least a factor of six between forward and backward propagation over a wide bandwidth exceeding 250 meV. Supported by density-functional theory calculations, we establish the linearly dispersive bands emerging from Weyl nodes as the origin of the extreme bandwidth. By utilizing the electronically conductive semimetallic nature of CeAlSi, we demonstrate current-induced magnetization switching and thus electrical control of the NODE in a mesoscopic spintronic device structure. Our results advance ongoing research to identify novel nonlinear optical/transport phenomena in magnetic topological materials. The NODE further opens new pathways for the unidirectional manipulation of light such as electrically controlled optical isolators [1].
[1] CT et al., Nature Communications 15, 3017 (2024)

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Laserlab-Europe Talk: Non-invasive photoacoustic imaging for in-depth cultural heritage diagnostics, 10 Dec 2025
2025-12-10 16:00 - 17:00
Speakers: Eleanna Pirgianaki (IESL-FORTH)
In recent years, photoacoustic (PA) techniques have gained significant role in the field of cultural heritage (CH) diagnostics, proving to be powerful tools for the detailed investigation of complex and fragile objects such as paintings, documents and murals. These techniques are based on the PA effect, which involves the generation of acoustic waves as a result of the absorption of intensity-variable optical radiation. The excitation and detection of PA signals through spectroscopic or imaging modalities is non-invasive and non-destructive and provides high optical absorption sensitivity at substantial depths within opaque media, surpassing the performance of several purely optical diagnostic methods.
In this context, we present a novel reflection-mode PA system integrating near-infrared pulsed excitation light and a spherically focused air-coupled ultrasonic transducer for the detection of the generated PA waves. The system is specifically developed to detect in-depth ageing effects in painted mock-ups and to reveal hidden underdrawings, such as pencil sketches, beneath non-transparent paint layers. To assess the performance of the system in detecting degradation phenomena, PA responses were recorded from different pigmented layers that had undergone controlled thermal or photo-ageing treatments. The measurements revealed a progressive increase in the PA amplitude over time, with distinct deterioration rates observed for various types of paint.
Additionally, by employing a second-harmonic excitation wavelength at 532 nm and comparing the PA signal ratios obtained from the two excitation lines, we aimed to enhance the method’s detection sensitivity while also expanding its applicability. Beyond the investigation of ageing effects in painted mock-ups, the developed dual-wavelength PA approach enabled the identification of corrosion levels in various metals and alloys, differentiation among inks of similar visual appearance, and detection of degradation effects in artificially aged papers. Overall, these results highlight the strong potential of PA detection as a complementary diagnostic technique to traditional methods, offering highly sensitive and non-destructive insights into degradation mechanisms and subsurface features across a broad range of CH artifacts.

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Lasers4EU Activity Board meeting, 13 January 2026
2026-01-13 10:30 - 12:00
The Activity Board of the Lasers4EU project will hold its next meeting on 13 January from 10:30 to 12:00 CET.
Login details will be provided by the Laserlab-Europe Office.
Please note: this is an internal project event.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Laser produced plasmas (LPP) and LPP SXR/EUV sources for laboratory astrochemistry, 28 January 2026
2026-01-28 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Andrzej Bartnik (MUT-IOE) Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 16:00 CET
Many experiments relevant to various processes in Space were devoted to support interpretation of astronomic observations. The experiments concern formation of astrophysical jets, photoionized plasmas in accretion disks around compact stars, supernovae explosions, matter formed inside giant planets, formation of interstellar dust, molecular processes in interstellar ices, formation of tholins etc. It is so called laboratory astrophysics or astrochemistry.
Some of these experiments require using of high power discharge or laser systems, for some experiments, especially concerning laboratory astrochemistry, synchrotrons, VUV lamps or small scale discharge plasma systems were employed. Some experiments can be, however, performed using laser produced plasma (LPP) soft X-ray (SXR) or extreme ultraviolet (EUV) sources. Some attempts were performed using sources developed in Institute of Optoelectronics, MUT.
The sources utilize gas puff targets and nanosecond, Nd:YAG laser systems. The most intense emission in the SXR or EUV range can be obtained from Xe plasmas, however, in some cases other gases or aerosols are employed. The sources are equipped with the corresponding EUV/SXR optical systems. Some experiments are performed in an ambient gas, under low pressure. Both kind of systems, with and without optics, can be employed for investigation of molecular processes relevant to SXR/EUV induced processes in interstellar clouds, atmospheres of planets or comets. Initial experiments were performed, a series of further experiments is planned.

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Laserlab-Europe Talk: Laser processing of functional micro/nanostructures for photonics, optoelectronics, and smart surfaces, 25 Feb 2026
2026-02-25 16:00 - 17:00
Speaker: Maria Kandyla (National Hellenic Research Foundation)
The need for advanced materials and systems with new functionalities has motivated the development of micro/nanostructures on solid surfaces, which are necessary for the fabrication of functional devices for novel applications. In this talk, we will discuss the development of functional micro/nanostructures, based on laser-processed surfaces.
Coating micro/nanostructures with thin metallic films results in plasmonic substrates with enhanced electromagnetic response across the entire visible range, which are used for plasmonic optical trapping [1]. Combining silicon micro/nanostructures with thin semiconducting films results in electronic heterojunctions with increased surface area for improved optoelectronic performance [2]. Furthermore, isotype heterojunctions result in wavelength-selective, high-speed photodetectors with self-powered operation, which can be further engineered by careful selection of the electronic properties of the constituting materials [3,4]. “Smart” surfaces of controllable extreme wetting states are obtained by combining photoresponsive metal oxides with laser-processed micro/nanostructured substrates, which can reach complete water repellence without chemical modification [5]. Also, surfaces with controlled topography, either at the micro- or at the nano-scale, for targeted cell cultures for biomedical applications [6]. We will present recent advances in these fields and discuss future applications.
References

D.G. Kotsifaki, M. Kandyla, and P.G. Lagoudakis, Plasmon enhanced optical tweezers with gold-coated black silicon, Scientific Reports 6, 26275 (2016).
G. Chatzigiannakis, A. Jaros, R. Leturcq, J. Jungclaus, T. Voss, S. Gardelis, and M. Kandyla, Laser-microstructured ZnO/p-Si photodetector with enhanced and broadband responsivity across the ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared range, ACS Applied Electronic Materials 2, 2819 (2020).
G. Chatzigiannakis, A. Jaros, R. Leturcq, J. Jungclaus, T. Voss, S. Gardelis, and M. Kandyla, Broadband wavelength-selective isotype heterojunction n+-ZnO/n-Si photodetector with variable polarity, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 903, 163836 (2022).
M.D. Tsanakas, A. Jaros, Y. Fleming, M. Efthimiadou, T. Voss, R. Leturcq, S. Gardelis, and M. Kandyla, Wavelength-selective, high-speed, self-powered isotype heterojunction n+-ZnO/n-Si photodetector with engineered and tunable spectral response, Advanced Materials Technologies 10, 2401740 (2025).
M. Kanidi, A. Bardakas, A. Kerasidou, A. Anastasopoulos, C. Tsamis, and M. Kandyla, Hierarchical ‘rose-petal’ ZnO/Si surfaces with reversible wettability reaching complete water repellence without chemical modification, Applied Physics A 129, 320 (2023).

M. Kanidi, A. Papadimitropoulou, C. Charalampous, Z. Chakim, G. Tsekenis, A. Sinani, C. Riziotis, and M. Kandyla, Regulating MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell adhesion on laser-patterned surfaces with micro- and nanotopography, Biointerphases 17, 021002 (2022).

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Lasers4EU Activity Board meeting, 2 April 2026
2026-04-02 10:00 - 12:00
The Activity Board of the Lasers4EU project will hold its next meeting on 2 April from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST.
Login details will be provided by the Laserlab-Europe Office.
Please note: this is an internal project event.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Materials and post-processes for multi-photon lithography, 29 April 2026
2026-04-29 16:00 - 17:00
Title: Materials and post-processes for multi-photon lithographySpeaker: Dimitra Ladika (VULRC)Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Multi-photon lithography (MPL) enables the fabrication of true 3D micro- and nanostructures without the need for masks or complex tooling, directly from computer-aided designs. Owing to these unique capabilities, MPL has emerged as a powerful manufacturing technique across a wide range of disciplines. The ongoing growth of MPL is closely linked to advances in material design and post-processing strategies.
In particular, the composition of MPL photoresists, including the presence or absence of photoinitiators, plays a critical role in defining fabrication thresholds, resolution, and the optical properties of the resulting structures. While photoinitiators can enhance polymerization efficiency, they may also introduce fluorescence and coloration, limiting their use in certain applications. In contrast, photoinitiator-free and doped systems offer alternative pathways toward improved optical performance. The interaction of these materials with femtosecond laser irradiation across multiple wavelengths provides additional flexibility for controlling polymerization and tailoring spectral response.
Additionally, post-processing approaches, such as calcination and surface coatings, further extend the capabilities of MPL by enabling the fabrication of fully inorganic and spectrally adaptable architectures. These strategies enhance the functionality and stability of the fabricated 3D structures without fundamentally altering the initial material platform.
Overall, these developments demonstrate the potential of material-driven approaches in MPL for applications in photonics and optoelectronics.

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Lasers4EU Access Board meeting, 5 May 2026
2026-05-05 14:30 - 16:30
The Access Board of the Lasers4EU project will meet on 5 May 2026, 14:30-16:30 CEST.
The link to connect will be shared by the Laserlab-Europe office.

This is a project internal event.
