Lithuania and the Czech Republic: A Strategic Step Toward Future Technologies
A New Cooperation Agreement
The new cooperation agreement between the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI ERIC) and Vilnius University marks a significant milestone in strengthening Lithuania's role within the European laser science and advanced technology landscape. Although the agreement was signed on behalf of Vilnius University during the official visit of the President of the Czech Republic to Lithuania, it paves the way for the country's entire laser ecosystem.
The agreement was signed by Roman Hvezda, Director of the ELI Beamlines Facility and the Rector of Vilnius University, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, cementing Lithuania's long-term participation in this world-class research infrastructure.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership
This agreement bolsters the long-standing cooperation between Lithuania and the Czech Republic, focusing on scientific research, innovation, and technological development. It ensures Lithuania's continuous engagement in one of Europe’s most advanced laser research environments and reflects a shared ambition to enhance scientific excellence and industrial competitiveness.
Lithuanian research institutions and companies have been involved in ELI activities since its inception. A particularly notable contribution is the Lithuanian-developed OPCPA (Optical Parametric Chirped-Pulse Amplification) technology, which constitutes a fundamental part of ELI’s high-power laser infrastructure.
Expansion of Research and Innovation
Lithuanian research teams are increasingly utilizing ELI’s infrastructure, achieving significant results in international programs. Research efforts are expanding into interdisciplinary fields, including radiobiology, secondary radiation sources, and energy research, such as laser-driven fusion.
Impact on LASER-PRO
The signed agreement directly contributes to the objectives of the LASER-PRO project and provides a robust foundation for the further development of innovation and next-generation laser technologies in Europe. One of the main goals of LASER-PRO is to provide researchers and businesses with access to world-class equipment. The ELI agreement is the one of the keys that allow Lithuanian scientists and businesses to use the world’s most powerful lasers in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania in a simplified manner. This allows them to perform experiments that are impossible to implement in local laboratories. The Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) and the Lithuanian Laser Association are representing the Lithuanian side in LASER-PRO project and together with all consortium partners, aim to:
- Enable researchers and SMEs to seamlessly access world-class ELI beamlines to conduct high-impact experiments.
- Foster collaboration between academia (FTMC), industry (Lithuanian Laser Association), government and society.
- Accelerate breakthroughs in four key areas: sustainable manufacturing, advanced semiconductor technologies, biomedical innovation and laser 3D printing.
- Create a structured pathway for the translation of fundamental scientific discoveries from ELI laboratories into commercialized photonics products.
- Strengthen the integration of Ukrainian partners into the European Research Area (ERA) through joint research initiatives and mentoring services.
