2nd INFN School and Workshop on “High Power Lasers for Fundamental Science and Applications” (HPLA2025)

17 Nov 2025, 08:00 → 19 Nov 2025, 16:00 Europe/Rome

Aula "Migneco" (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud - Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare )

The 2nd INFN School and Workshop on “High Power Lasers for Fundamental Science and Applications” (HPLA2025) is organized with the goal of explaining the structure of the laser that will be installed at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics-National Laboratories of South Italy (INFN-LNS) in Catania, Italy, and its potential within the I-LUCE (INFN-Laser indUCEd Radiation Production) facility in terms of radiation production, fundamental physics, and high-energy physics.

The presentations will be designed to be highly educational to ensure participation from everyone (technicians, administrative staff, technologists, and anyone interested in the developments of I-LUCE), enabling all attendees to follow and contribute.

The scientific programme includes the following topical sessions: 

• Fundamental laser-plasma physics, 
• Laser-driven electron acceleration,
• Laser-driven ion/proton acceleration,
• Nuclear physics in plasma,
• Neutron and gamma production,
• Electromagnetic pulse and its mitigation, 
• Secondary laser beams applications (industrial, medical, cultural heritage, etc.). 

     HPLA logo and indico organisation by S Arjmand

 

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Monday 17 November

08:00 → 09:30 Registration Open

09:30 → 10:00 Opening

09:30 Opening Remark

This session will introduce the HPLA25 workshop describing its main topics and the overall organisation.

Greetings from the INFN-LNS, INFN-Section of Catania and from the Catania University Physics Departments, will be addressed

10:00 → 11:30 Didactic Session

Convener: Dr David Mascali (LNS)

10:00 The technology of High Power lasers

We will present the technology of high power lasers starting from its historical evolution to the contemporary state of the art. High-power lasers arose due to the pursuit of ultra-fast pulses and the need to amplify them for diverse applications.
Several prominent technologies of high power lasers, from solid state Titanium Sapphire to dye compounds, have allowed the generation of ultrashort pulses due to cavity technology innovations like Q-switching and mode-locking. This together with improvement of knowledge of nonlinear effects of intense light in novel optical materials led to dramatic reduction of the time duration of lasers pulses from nano- to pico- and finally femto-seconds.
Amplification of such short pulses were an impossibility until the 80s when the introduction of chirp pulse amplification (CPA) and its subsequent development allowed the production of petawatt level of peak power with femtosecond pulses. These levels of energy intensity on its own opened up the possibility to produce high harmonic generation (HHG) and the shrinking of laser pulses to the attosecond regime.
The structure of the laser systems of several petawatt world-class facilities will be discussed as well as the push of the frontiers in the technologies that need to be improved in order to keep the march toward higher levels of power and efficiency.

Speaker: Jose Juan Suarez Vargas (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

10:30 Data Acquisition of Laser-Driven Radiation in Intense EMP Environments

A. Amato$^1$, D. Bonanno$^1$
$^1$ INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania, Italy

The detection and characterization of radiation produced in laser–matter interactions pose significant challenges due to the extremely short duration and high intensity of the emitted signals. Different approaches can be employed to measure the charge generated in a detector by such laser-driven radiation. In this work, we present a peak detector system as a possible method for signal acquisition under these extreme conditions. We demonstrate that the detected signal can be strongly influenced by the intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated during the laser–matter interaction. Using a simulated EMP, we illustrate how this interference can distort the acquired signal. Furthermore, we analyze how different cable types respond to such perturbations, showing that cables with more effective electromagnetic shielding exhibit superior attenuation of the EMP-induced noise.

Speaker: Antonino Salvatore Amato (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

11:00 Electromagnetic pulses from high power lasers: sources, risks and mitigation

The interaction of intense and energetic laser pulses with matter produces wideband particle and electromagnetic radiation. The radiofrequency-microwave part of these emissions can have remarkable intensity (beyond the MV/m order at distances larger than one meter from target) and is known as Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs) [1]. The way to control these fields is through understanding their source mechanisms [1,2] and the implementation of suitable countermeasures. The latter share some commonalities with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) techniques, but that need to consider the specific nature of these laser-generated transient fields. This presentation will describe EMP source mechanisms, their diagnostic methodologies and the available techniques for their control and minimization, with focus on both theoretical modelling and experiments.

References
[1] F. Consoli et al., “Laser produced electromagnetic pulses: generation, detection and mitigation”, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, 8, e22 (2020).

[2] F. Consoli et al., “Sources and space–time distribution of the electromagnetic pulses in experiments on inertial confinement fusion and laser–plasma acceleration”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A - Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Science A 379: 20200022 (2020).

Acknowledgment
This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No 101052200 — EUROfusion). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Speaker: Fabrizio Consoli (ENEA - Centro Ricerche Frascati (IT))

11:30 → 12:00 Coffee Break

12:00 → 13:20 Facility session

Convener: Dr Giacomo Cuttone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

12:00 I-LUCE facility layout

In this presentation, the authors will provide an overview of the upcoming INFN I-LUCE facility, a new high-power laser infrastructure dedicated to advanced research in radiation sources and applications. The talk will introduce the facility layout and its two laser systems, outlining their main capabilities and scientific goals. Particular emphasis will be placed on the integrated approach adopted within I-LUCE to enable multi-disciplinary experiments. The presentation will serve as an introduction to a series of complementary contributions in this session, where other speakers will discuss in detail the laser systems, the laser transport line, the electron acceleration schemes, neutron generation, and their prospective applications in the medical and energy domains.

Speaker: Giuseppe Antonio Pablo Cirrone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

Cirrone_I-LUCE HPLA finall.pptx

12:20 Laser Beam Transport Solution at I-LUCE

The I-LUCE facility will host two state-of-the-art laser systems: a high-repetition-rate laser delivering 9  mJ in 34 fs pulses at 1 kHz, and a more powerful system capable of reaching up to 320 TW, with a repetition rate between 3.3 Hz and 10 Hz and pulse duration of 23 fs. Efficient and flexible beam transport is critical to fully exploit the capabilities of these lasers. The first laser will be directed into a dedicated vacuum chamber designed for target testing and diagnostic campaigns. The second, more powerful laser will be split to reach two distinct interaction chambers in the main I-LUCE experimental area. The first chamber is dedicated to advanced ion and electron acceleration studies, as well as neutron and gamma-ray generation. The second chamber will host nuclear physics and warm dense matter experiments, leveraging both the high-intensity laser and ions delivered by the INFN-LNS conventional accelerators. This presentation will describe the design considerations, optical layout, and engineering solutions implemented to ensure precise delivery, stability, and versatility of the laser beams across the experimental stations. The chosen transport solutions will enable the I-LUCE facility to support a wide range of high-impact scientific programs in fundamental and applied research.

Speaker: Carmen Altana (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

12:40 Laser Plasma Electron Acceleration and Its Applications at I-LUCE

In this talk, the author will present the ongoing development of strategies for laser plasma electron acceleration at the I-LUCE facility. Both I-LUCE laser systems will be employed to accelerate electrons, with energies expected to span from 1 MeV up to 3 GeV during the first operational phase. Different acceleration schemes will be explored, including gas-jet and micro-jet targets for the lower-power laser, as well as the more sophisticated capillary-discharge approach for controlled and stable acceleration at higher intensities. The facility will feature a dedicated experimental area for electron beam studies, enabling systematic irradiations and characterization of laser-accelerated electrons. The talk will also highlight potential applications of these electron beams in fundamental research and applied studies, emphasizing the versatility offered by the combination of high-repetition-rate and high-intensity laser drivers. The presentation will provide insights into the technical solutions under development, the expected performance of the electron sources, and the experimental strategies designed to exploit these beams for scientific and technological applications.

Speaker: Sahar Arjmand (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

13:00 Design and implementation of a laser driven neutron source at LNS

Both research and technological applications have contributed to the steady increase in interest in compact neutron sources in recent years. The majority of neutron sources nowadays depend on large infrastructure like nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, which have high costs and have problems with the generation of radioactive waste.

A viable substitute is laser-driven neutron generation, which can produce brief, intense neutron pulses at high repetition rates, making it suited also for time-of-flight measurements. In particular, the “pitcher–catcher” configuration enables the conversion of laser-accelerated ions or electrons into neutrons, with tunable yield and energy spectra through appropriate material and geometrical choices.

At the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS), the high-intensity laser facility I-LUCE is currently under construction, and the inclusion of a dedicated neutron production station is under evaluation. Such a laser-driven neutron source would support a range of scientific activities, including activation measurements relevant to nuclear astrophysics and stellar nucleosynthesis.

This contribution will present the design considerations, expected performance, and scientific perspectives of a laser-driven neutron source at LNS.

Speaker: Simone Amaducci (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

13:20 → 15:00 Lunch Break

15:00 → 16:20 Facility session

Convener: Dr Sahar Arjmand (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

15:00 Laser Wakefield Acceleration Research with Multi-PW Laser Pulses

Recent progress in multi-petawatt (PW) laser technology has enabled compact, high-energy electron acceleration and intense photon generation, expanding the frontier of laser–plasma physics. Using a 4 PW laser system [1], we demonstrated a high-quality 4.5 GeV electron beam from a helium gas cell doped with 1% neon, establishing a foundation for GeV-scale, table-top electron accelerators. The neon dopant significantly improves electron energy, energy spread, and charge, compared to a pure helium medium. The simulations showed that the sequential ionization of neon provides suitable self-guiding conditions through pulse sharpening, while the inner-shell ionization induces localized ionization injection. These results indicate that neon as a dopant can be a suitable choice for high-quality electron beams with PW laser pulses.
Building on this capability, we experimentally realized a hybrid betatron radiation scheme [2] that decouples electron acceleration and radiation generation in a two-stage gas medium. A low-density gas cell first produced relativistic electron beams, followed by a short, high-density gas jet serving as an efficient radiator. This configuration substantially enhanced betatron emission, yielding a critical photon energy of ~0.5 MeV and a photon flux exceeding 10¹⁰ photons per shot. The resulting gamma-ray source exhibited a brilliance of ~5 × 10²⁴ photons/s/mm²/mrad²/0.1% BW, peaking at 180 keV—among the brightest compact sources achieved to date. The hybrid design mitigates the inherent trade-offs of single-stage schemes by independently optimizing acceleration and emission, leading to improved photon yield, spectral quality, and stability.
These results establish a versatile platform for a broad range of applications and provide a powerful tool for investigating nonlinear Compton scattering [3] and radiation reaction. The demonstrated scalability of multi-PW laser systems indicates that extending this approach can access higher electron and photon energies and fluxes, thereby advancing compact electron and radiation sources and enabling exploration of extreme light–matter interaction regimes.

References
[1] J. H. Sung, et al., Opt. Lett. 42, 2058 (2017).
[2] J. Ferri et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 254802 (2018).
[3] M. Mirzaie et al., Nat. Photonics 18, (2024).

Speaker: Hyung Taek Kim (Advanced Photonics Research Institute, GIST)

15:20 Perspectives on laser capabilities of the new and upgraded European user facilities

The European laser user facilities and associated projects underwent an enormous development within the last few years and are of great interest in the perspective of developing the future of scientific research and the integrations of science and applications.

To explore the outlook for European laser user facilities it’s fundamental to consider (but not only) ELI ERIC, EU-XFEL, EPAC, Apollon, Vulcan, CLPU, as well as plasma accelerator projects such as EuPRAXIA and fusion projects like HiPER. The current achievements include the development of sources as 10-20 PW lasers, the installation of beamlines dedicated to applications (particles acceleration, secondary sources, advanced metrology). In addition to the previous elements, the design of fusion related equipment and experiments must be considered in detail.
Consortiums like Laserlab-Europe are critical for collaboration purposes and to contribute to the development of the facilities’ ecosystem. Other facilities, even if not strictly laser-based or opened to users, must be considered, such as SwissFEL and FERMI 2.0, as well as HiLASE and HZDR-Draco.

The overview of the perspectives cannot be complete without a detailed consideration of the manufacturing and industrial scientific laser capabilities, considering the principal and secondary suppliers. To complete the industrial aspect of this overview, the existing and emerging laser technologies (Titanium Sapphire, Ytterbium, Thulium, Alexandrite) for scientific applications of laser secondary sources must be listed. Also, a mention of the facilities out of Europe (North America, Indian, Asia) is considered.

To conclude, we consider that the European laser user facilities and associated projects, here presented, represent an enormous potential for the future of science and applications.

Speaker: Federico Canova (ELI ERIC, Dolnì Brezanì (CZ))

15:40 The FIREX Program at the Institute of Laser Engineering and Future Upgrades

In 2022, the National Ignition Facility achieved a historic milestone by demonstrating fusion ignition with energy gain greater than unity using the indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) approach. However, the indirect-drive scheme is intrinsically inefficient and cannot realistically achieve the high energy gains required for a viable fusion power plant. Consequently, research teams worldwide are pursuing alternative ignition concepts that promise significantly higher overall efficiency and gain.

The Institute of Laser Engineering at The University of Osaka has dedicated the last 15 years to Fast Ignition research. In light of experimental and theoretical developments, significant upgrades are expected at the facility. In this talk we will present the development of our IFE program and the upgrades necessary to conduct it.

Speaker: Alessio Morace (PALS Laboratory, Czech Academy of Sciences (CZ), Institute of Laser Engineering, The University of Osaka (Japan))

HPLA2025_Morace.pptx

16:00 Research and applications at CNR-INO

An overview of the experimental research activities in the field of laser-driven particle acceleration carried out at the Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory of the National Institute of Optics of CNR in Pisa will be given. A glimpse at the main applications of laser-driven particle beams pursued by the ILIL group will be provided. Finally, the ongoing major laboratory upgrade, including the commissioning of a high rep rate laser and the research toward kHz rep rate systems, will be discussed, highlighting perspectives for applications requiring high average flux beams.

Speaker: Luca Labate (CNR-INO and INFN Section of Pisa, Pisa (IT))

16:20 → 16:50 Coffee Break

16:50 → 17:50 Facility session

Convener: Dr Dario Lattuada (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

16:50 High power laser facilities in the United Kingdom

The UK has been at the forefront of development in high power lasers since the 1970s , with the Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory providing world-class laser systems to national and international users. Since the early 2000s, Petawatt class systems such as the ND:glass VULCAN PW (500 fs, 500 J) and the Ti:SA ASTRA GEMINI laser (2 X15 J, 35 fs) have provided experimenters with world-leading capabilities, employed to achieve key milestones in high energy density science, particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, as well as in several applicative area.
The CLF is currently engaged in major upgrades of its high power laser provision: the new Extreme Photonics Application Centre (EPAC) currently being commissioned, will provide 10Hz PW beams to 2 target areas, one devoted to wakefield acceleration and applications (online from 2026), with the second one dedicated to secondary sources from interactions with solids and fundamental science. An upgrade of the VULCAN laser (which suspended operations in 2023) will deliver the VULCAN2020 facility (from 2029 onwards), where a 20PW short pulse laser (20fs, 400J) will be available together with 20KJ of ns pulses.
Beyond the CLF, significant facilities have also been developed in regional Universities across the UK: the Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA) facility at Strathclyde University (Glasgow) is based around a 350TW , 20 fs Ti:Sa system developed by Thales and provides beamlines to 3 experimental bunkers for the delivery of radiation beams for applicative use. At Queen’s University Belfast, the Nd:Glass TARANIS laser system provides 15J in longer, ~500 fs pulses, and a new 10 TW, high repetition rate facility (200 mJ, 20fs, 100 Hz) is currently being developed for the development of high rep-rate technology and applications of radiation beams.
The talk will provide a brief overview of the current status and plans for development of these systems.

Speaker: Marco Borghesi (Queen's University Belfast, Belfast (UK))

17:10 The Centre for Advanced Laser Applications

The Centre for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA) in Garching has the principal goal to develop sensitive and cost-efficient laser-based methods for detection and therapy of cancer and other types of chronic disease. Current efforts focus on the use of high-intensity X-rays for diagnostic biomedical imaging, the application of laser-generated proton and carbon-ion beams to tumor therapy and investigations into high-field physics. I am going to give an overview of CALA and its infrastructure

Speaker: Andreas Döpp (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München (DE))

17:30 Research and Applications at CLPU: the Case of Ion Stopping Power in Plasma Measurements

Ion stopping in dense plasmas remains a fundamental yet not fully understood topic in modern physics. It plays a central role in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), where target self-heating by alpha particles initiates ignition and thermonuclear gain. The phenomenon is even more critical for target-heating schemes that employ ion beams as the primary drivers, such as in heavy-ion fusion or ion-driven fast ignition. Moreover, ion stopping in plasmas is of key importance in high-energy-density physics for the generation and characterization of Warm Dense Matter (WDM), as well as in astrophysical contexts.
A recent experiment [1] performed at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados (CLPU) in Salamanca by using the petawatt-class laser VEGA has demonstrated the potentiality of ultra-short, high-intensity laser pulses to enable dedicated and unique experimental studies of ion stopping power. This is achieved by simultaneously producing ultra-short ion bursts [2] and isochorically heated plasmas, creating well-controlled experimental conditions.
In this talk, I will present:
(i) the fundamental physics governing ion stopping power in Warm Dense Matter, and
(ii) an overview of the CLPU laser system, highlighting its main capabilities and experimental possibilities for future studies in this field.

References
[1] S. Malko, et,al., Proton stopping measurements at low velocity in warm dense carbon, Nature communication, (2022).
[2] L. Volpe et al, A Platform for Ultra-Fast Proton Probing of Matter in Extreme Conditions, Sensors 24 (16), 5254 (2024).

Speaker: Luca Volpe (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM))

17:50 → 18:20 Sponsors Session

Convener: Roberto Catalano (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

17:50 High peak power laser system for I-LUCE and latest laser technology developments

High peak power laser technology has become over the past decades capable to produce high energy protons in the range of tens of MeV up to 100 MeV. Quite recently a research group has reported significant improvements demonstrating laser-produced 150 MeV protons paving the way for new applications, including some in the medical field like protontherapy today based on equipment like synchrotrons using conventional RF technology.
Here we report on laser technology used for I-LUCE research infrastructure currently under construction at INFN-LNS in Catania and ongoing laser developments of interest for medical applications
To generate high energy protons, it is necessary to focus a laser beam on a solid target to reach a very high intensity, in the range of 10$^{22}$ to 10$^{23}$ W/cm² while keeping a very low intensity level before the main pulse, which can be characterized by the so-called “temporal contrast”.
Chirped Pulse Amplifiers (CPA) based on Titanium Sapphire (TiSa) as active gain medium for laser amplification has been proven over the time as the most effective and most mature technical solution to meet the requirements of high energy protons generation. They can achieve ultrashort pulse duration in the range of 20 to 25 fs being pumped by standard nanosecond laser products and show an energy conversion efficiency which is twice that of OPCPA competing technology which in addition requires customized nanosecond pump lasers.
To achieve high temporal contrast, a specific configuration is used called double CPA. A first TiSa CPA delivers pulses whose energy is in the range of 0.1 to 1 mJ. The output of this first CPA then enters a “XPW” (Crossed Polarised Wave) filter which allows an improvement of the temporal contrast by 4 to 5 orders of magnitude thanks to a 3rd order non linear effect in a suitable crystal. The output light from this XPW filter is then launched in a second CPA which amplifies the energy through several TiSa amplification stages up to typically 12-13 Joule before compression by gratings placed in a vacuum chamber which provide a final output of 8 J in a pulse of 23 fs.
A deformable mirror placed before the compressor allows to compensate the accumulation of wavefront distortion along the laser then leading to minimize laser beam size at the focus and subsequently maximizing the intensity level.
Regarding the current use of TeraWatt and PetaWatt systems, in particular in the case of multi-PetaWatts laser systems, up to 10 PetaWatts, users are generally adding a plasma mirror immediately in front of the solid target in order to be sure to not destroy it. It is a very effective technique to warranty the integrity of the target but in the same time is very lossy as 30 to 40% of the energy is lost when using a double plasma mirror. This is why we have further pushed at Thales the development of front ends with better performance of temporal contrast through the introduction early in the chain of OPCPA stages pumped by picosecond lasers with 2 different configurations, one with an OPCPA pumped at 532 nm by a dedicated pump laser seeded by a narrowband output of the oscillator and another one using a 400 nm pump laser resulting from the frequency doubling of the output of the TiSa regenerative amplifier. These configurations combined with the use of low rugosity optics in the stretcher have allowed a significant improvement of temporal contrast.
Another area of improvement is the repetition rate of the lasers. Recent developments have led to the achievement of 8 TW (200 mJ – 25 fs) pulses at a repetition rate of 100 Hz and the development of a 40 TW (1 J – 25 fs) @ 100 Hz system is underway. In that case the main topic is the huge increase of laser average power needing the implementation of new thermal management solutions compatible with such increase. Two significant developments have been carried out, one on the development of TiSa disks working in the configuration of active mirror amplifiers in order to minimize pump-induced lensing effects in the TiSa crystals, the other one on the active cooling of gold-coated compression gratings in order to limit the heating of gold layers induced by absorption of the laser light by gold.
The increase of laser repetition rate will benefit to many applications in the societal field, like for example the laser-driven generation of VHEE particle beams for cancer therapy where the increase of laser repetition rate will decrease the exposure time of patients.

Speaker: Christophe SIMON-BOISSON (THALES OPTRONIQUE SAS, Elancourt (FR))

HPLA 2025_SimonBoisson_Public.pdf

18:05 KAIO-Beamline – a modular high-repetition rate laser-plasma electron accelerator for a broad range of applications

The KAIO-Beamline was designed to address scientific applications of laser-plasma accelerators such as complex parametric studies in radiobiology [1]. Its modular design incorporates (i) a commercial ultrafast laser driver, (ii) a temporal post-compression stage based on multi-pass cell technology [2] to reach optimal electron acceleration conditions in the few-cycle regime [3], and (iii) a compact plug & play electron accelerator module.
Here we will present the first implementation of KAIO-Beamline [4], using an ASTRELLA USP Ti:Sapphire laser driver (Coherent Inc.), delivering 7 mJ 40 fs pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. The laser pulses are comprehensively characterized with the novel spatio-temporal metrology techniques INSIGHT [5] and TIPTOE [6].

References
[1] M. Cavallone et al., Appl. Phys. B 127 (2021).
[2] L. Daniault et al., Opt. Lett. 46, 5264 (2021).
[3] D. Guénot et al., Nat. Phot. 11, 293-297 (2017).
[4] C. Greb et al., Instruments 8, 40 (2024).
[5] A. Borot and F. Quéré, Opt. Exp. 26, 26444 (2018).
[6] W. Cho et al., Sci Rep 9, 16067 (2019).

Speaker: F. Sylla (SourceLAB SAS, 7 rue de la Croix Martre, 91120 Palaiseau (FR))

Tuesday 18 November

09:30 → 10:50 Radiation Production

Convener: Dr Carmen Altana (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

09:30 Radiobiology with laser-driven carbon ions and the medical project of ELI-NP

Increasing the population's access to new advanced cancer treatment and diagnosis methods is of pivotal importance. The ELI-NP infrastructure has embarked on this research path through the Dr. LASER project. The project is part of the National Health Program, pursuing innovative approaches in healthcare research, and it is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Romanian Government. The project aims to develop medical applications that employ high-power lasers, such as treatment using heavy-ion hadron therapy assisted by phase-contrast X-ray imaging, as well as diagnosis and treatment using medical radioisotopes. The research on cancer treatment will mainly focus on laser-driven acceleration of carbon ions with the 10 PW laser system of ELI-NP and radiobiology experiments in-vitro and in-vivo, towards hadrontherapy. Therefore, this presentation will illustrate the state-of-the-art of the laser-driven radiobiology with carbon ions, describe the main objectives of the Dr. LASER project, and discuss the progress made by ELI-NP in this research direction.

Speaker: Domenico Doria (Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), The Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP), Strada Reactorului 30, 077125 Bucharest-Măgurele, Romania)

DORIA_HPLA2025.pptx

09:50 How to Tame Laser-Driven Ions: From Record Energies to Applications at HZDR

We present an overview of our facility and high-power laser infrastructure at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), highlighting recent progress in efficient laser-driven ion acceleration and the achievement of record proton energies. Using pulsed high-field magnets to capture and shape these proton beams, we can tailor their beam characteristics to match applications such as radiobiology, enabling new precision studies on laser-driven radiation effects.

Speaker: Florian Kroll (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden (DE))

10:10 Intense neutron sources driven by high-power lasers

Laser-driven neutron sources have recently attracted significant attention as they offer the compactness and affordability required for the wide promotion of multi-disciplinary applications. The interest in laser-driven sources stems from the rapid progress in laser technologies over the past couple of decades, which has made high-rep multi-petawatt facilities now a reality. Thanks to the unwavering efforts made by different groups, we have a repertoire of efficient mechanisms to produce neutrons with uniquely appealing qualities, such as ultra-short burst duration, beamed emission and low average energy, in an environment with minimal extraneous radiations. A number of these mechanisms will be discussed in the presentation, along with challenges and future outlooks.

Speaker: Satyabrata Kar (Queen's University Belfast, Belfast (UK))

10:30 Laser Electron Acceleration at ELI-Beamlines

Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) is the most compact technique to produce GeV electron beams as short as few fs. To achieve optimal LWFA conditions, the laser pulse energy, time duration and focal spot size must be properly set. The features of the accelerated electron beam depend on the mechanism underlying their injection into the plasma accelerating cavity. Techniques to achieve precise control of the electron injection are based on localized ionization of high-Z atoms, on plasma density tailoring, or on localized control of the microscopic electromagnetic fields with multiple laser pulses or nanoparticles. Limiting factors to the maximum attainable energy are the depletion of the pump laser and the dephasing of the electrons with the accelerating field, since the laser propagates slower than the electrons inside the plasma. The generation of a pre-ionized plasma channel enables a longer acceleration length, maximizing the electron beam energy.

At ELI Beamlines there are two LWFA beamlines open for external user access: ELBA and ALFA. ELBA is a laser-electron collider, based on Ti:Sa L3-HAPLS laser, designed to deliver up to 30 J, 30 fs pulses at a 10 Hz repetition rate. ELBA receives the L3-HAPLS laser pulses after more than 100 meters propagation inside a vacuum laser beam transport. Once the square 214 mm x 214 mm laser pulses arrive in ELBA, they are 50:50 wavefront split by a full-size dielectric mirror with a 150 mm hole. The round laser pulses are sent to an off-axis parabola that focuses them down to 55 mm FWHM focal spot 10 meters downstream. The square hollow laser pulses propagate through a delay line before reaching a 375 mm focal length off axis parabola that focuses them onto the counterpropagating electron beam. ELBA is designed to collide 2 GeV electron beam with 10^21 W/cm^2 laser pulses. At the moment, ELBA has been commissioned with up to 15 J at 0.2 Hz and up to 8 J at 3.3 Hz, achieving GeV electron beams in self-guided regime, and multi-GeV energy in the self-waveguided regime. Six user experimental campaigns have been completed, and the user proposal acceptance rate is around 50%.

ALFA is a kHz LWFA beamline powered by the ELI in-house developed L1-ALLEGRA OPCPA laser, designed to deliver up to 100 mJ, 15 fs laser pulses at 1 kHz repetition rate. ALFA is the highest repetition rate LWFA machine operating in "multi-cycle" mode, since the L1-ALLEGRA central bandwidth is 800 nm. This makes ALFA a highly requested machine from the user community to realize relativistic plasma physics experiments that require a very high (millions) number of shots. At the moment, ALFA has been commissioned with up to 50 mJ at 1 kHz repetition rate, achieving up to 50 MeV electron beams [1,2]. These high repetition rate high energy beams enable Gy/s average dose rate, that in combination with the TGy/s peak dose rate [3], are of great interest for the radio-biology user community. Nine user experimental campaigns have been completed, and the user proposal acceptance rate is around 50%.

References
[1] C. Lazzarini et al., Phys. Plasmas 2024, 31, 030703;
[2] I. Zymak et al., Photonics 2024, 11, 1208;
[3] D. Horvath et al., Phys. Med. Biol. 2023, 68, 22NT01

Speaker: Michal Nevrkla (ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Dolni Brezany (CZ))

10:50 → 11:20 Coffee Break

11:20 → 12:40 Applications

Convener: Dr Giada Petringa (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

11:20 Applications of multi-GeV Laser Wakefield Accelerated Electrons for Strong-Field QED Research at CoReLS multi-PW Laser Facility

Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) has rapidly advanced since its original proposal by Tajima and Dawson [1], offering accelerating gradients exceeding 100 GV/m—three orders of magnitude higher than conventional radio-frequency accelerators. Using ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulses to drive plasma waves in underdense media, LWFA enables the production of multi-GeV electron beams within meter-scale distances [2,3]. These compact accelerators are opening pathways to a broad range of applications. In photon science, LWFA-driven beams can power compact X-ray free-electron lasers, enabling ultrafast structural dynamics studies [4]. In medicine and industry, betatron and bremsstrahlung sources provide routes toward advanced imaging and radiotherapy [5]. Beyond these, the extreme intensities accessible with LWFA-accelerated electrons and secondary radiation have positioned the field at the frontier of strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED) research, where phenomena such as nonlinear Compton scattering and electron–positron pair creation can be probed [6]. Recent progress, including experimental demonstrations of laser–plasma platforms for strong-field physics [7], highlights LWFA’s dual role as both a compact accelerator technology and a unique tool for exploring fundamental physics under extreme conditions. While challenges remain in improving beam quality, stability, and repetition rate, the rapid pace of development suggests that LWFA may soon complement conventional accelerators across science, medicine, and high-energy physics.
This talk will focus on the recent progress in applications of multi-GeV electron accelerated by the CoReLS multi-PW laser pulse conducting strong-field QED research, and will conclude with a brief outlook on future directions.
This work was supported by the Institute for Basic Science grant No. IBS-R038-D1.

References
[1] T. Tajima and J. M. Dawson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 43, 267 (1979).
[2] B. Miao et al. Phys. Rev. X 12, 031038 (2022).
[3] A. Picksley et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 255001 (2024).
[4] R. Pompili et al. Nat. 605, 659-662 (2022).
[5] H. Yun, LJ. Bae, M. Mirzaie, HT. Kim, Rev. Mod. Plasma Phys. 9,1,13 (2025).
[6] A. Di Piazza et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 84, 1177 (2012).
[7] M. Mirzaie et al., Nat. Photonics 18, 1042–1048 (2024).

Speaker: Mohammad Mirzaie (Center for Relativistic Laser Science, IBS, Gwangju, Korea)

11:40 Laser-Driven Particle Acceleration Research at Politecnico di Milano and its Applications to Cultural Heritage Studies

Laser-driven particle acceleration based on solid targets [1] is promising for a wide range of applications, from nuclear medicine to materials characterization. Laser-plasma radiation sources are attractive because they can generate various types of radiation (e.g., high-energy electrons, ions, neutrons, and γ-rays), allow for energy tuning, and can operate within potentially compact setups. For example, the precise control of the thickness of solid targets enables tuning of the maximum energy of the accelerated particles [2]. Moreover, the use of advanced targets such as low-density Double-Layer Targets (DLTs) can enhance the coupling between the laser and the generated plasma, leading to an increase in both the energy and number of electrons and ions [2,3]. Therefore, laser-driven radiation sources represent promising alternatives to conventional accelerators which, although based on mature technologies, remain limited in terms of flexibility and compactness.
Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) are complementary materials characterization techniques used in several fields including artworks analysis [4]. They rely on the irradiation of samples with protons and photons to induce characteristic X-ray emission. As shown in recent proof-of-principle studies [5-7], PIXE and XRF could benefit from the use of laser-plasma radiation sources in the near future. Indeed, the energies of the accelerated particles and emitted photons from compact laser-driven particle sources are perfectly compatible with those required for the characterization of cultural heritage materials.
This contribution provides an overview of the laser-driven particle acceleration activities carried out at the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano [8]: (i) production of advanced targets like DLTs; (ii) experimental and theoretical studies of laser-driven particle acceleration and transport; (iii) investigation of applications laser-driven sources. After presenting our investigation about modeling of laser-driven Ion Beam Analysis, we focus on the study of laser-driven PIXE and XRF techniques for the analysis of cultural heritage materials. Results obtained during an experimental campaign performed at the ELIMAIA beamline [9] (at the ELI Beamlines facility) driven by the HAPLS laser are presented. Using a proof-of-principle setup [10], laser-driven protons and photons were transported in air to irradiate certified materials, medieval bronzes, and Iron Age ceramics. It is shown how, by measuring the emitted characteristic X-rays, it is possible to determine the composition of the irradiated samples. This study lays the foundation for the development of laser–plasma accelerators tailored to the characterization of cultural heritage materials, suggesting that this approach could achieve results comparable to conventional sources while maintaining the inherent versatility of laser-driven systems.

[1] A. Macchi et al., Reviews of Modern Physics (2013) 85-2 
[2] F. Mirani, et al., Physical Review Applied 24.1 (2025): 014017
[3] I. Prencipe, et al., New Journal of Physics 23.9 (2021): 093015
[4] L. Sottili, et al. Applied Sciences 12.13 (2022): 6585
[5] F. Mirani et al., Science Advances (2021) 7-3 
[6] P. Puyuelo-Valdes et al., Scientific Reports (2021) 11-9998 
[7] M. Salvadori et al., Physical Review Applied (2024) 21-064020 
[8] https://www.ensure.polimi.it/
[9] D. Margarone, et al. Quantum Beam Science 2.2 (2018): 8
[10] F. Gatti et al., IEEE Transaction on Instrumentation and Measurement (2024) 73-3536912

Speaker: Francesco Mirani (Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy)

12:00 Fire to Fusion: The Journey Toward Clean Energy

In the framework of laser-driven nuclear fusion research, we conducted a comprehensive experimental campaign at the Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) in 2024 to investigate the proton–boron (p–11B) fusion reaction. The primary objective was to study the acceleration of high-energy protons and the subsequent generation of alpha particles through nuclear fusion reactions with boron targets. High-intensity, high-energy laser pulses were used to irradiate both boron-containing and boron-free primary targets, enabling a detailed study of proton acceleration and alpha particle production in different target compositions. A natural boron secondary target was employed in a pitcher–catcher configuration to allow energetic protons from the primary target to induce the ¹¹B(p,α)2α fusion reaction. Additionally, the in-plasma fusion configuration was explored, in which proton–boron fusion occurs directly within the laser-produced plasma, aiming to maximize alpha particle yields and study their production mechanisms under extreme plasma conditions.
The PALS iodine laser, operating at 1315 nm with sub-nanosecond pulse duration and intensities exceeding 10¹⁶ W/cm², provided the driver for proton acceleration. The experimental setup incorporated an advanced diagnostics suite, including CR-39 track detectors positioned covered with aluminum filters to reconstruct proton and alpha energy spectra, a matrix configuration combining CR-39 and diamond detectors integrated into a time-of-flight (TOF) system for real-time particle energy measurements, and activation detectors composed of various materials for precise quantification of nuclear reactions. Interferometric measurements with femtosecond and nanosecond resolution were also used to characterize the plasma density and its temporal evolution during laser-target interaction.
Analysis of the TOF and Thomson Parabola (TP) data revealed maximum proton energies of 5.7 MeV and 5.5 MeV, respectively, confirming efficient proton acceleration capable of triggering the ¹¹B(p,α)2α fusion channel. The new generation of targets showed a significant increase in the total number of alpha particles detected in the in-plasma fusion regime, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of laser-driven nuclear fusion and highlighting the potential of high-intensity laser systems for generating high-current, high-energy alpha particle beams.
Looking forward, a new experimental campaign is scheduled from 24 November to 19 December 2025, where advanced diagnostic configurations will be employed to further improve the precision and accuracy of alpha particle measurements. This campaign will deploy refined CR-39 and diamond matrix configurations, enhanced TOF systems, and activation detectors with carefully selected materials to optimize sensitivity and resolution for both alpha and proton detection. The secondary boron target will be irradiated under controlled conditions to produce high-yield alpha particles, allowing detailed investigation of particle production, energy distribution, and angular emission. These experiments aim to generate high-fidelity data to benchmark theoretical models of laser-driven p–B fusion, providing critical input for designing future high-yield laser fusion experiments.
The broader vision of this fusion project is to contribute directly to European Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) initiatives. Leveraging experience from PALS and the I-LLucia laser system, the project seeks to apply optimized laser-target interaction schemes, advanced diagnostics, and high-precision nuclear measurements to future ICF experiments in Europe. This approach positions the team to play a key role in next-generation ICF campaigns, particularly in maximizing alpha particle yields, studying laser-driven proton and alpha acceleration, and understanding plasma-driven fusion mechanisms under controlled conditions.
Overall, the results from PALS 2024, combined with the upcoming PALS 2025 campaign, demonstrate the feasibility of using high-intensity laser systems to generate high-energy alpha particles via proton–boron fusion. These efforts will not only deepen our understanding of particle acceleration and nuclear reaction mechanisms in laser-produced plasmas but also lay the groundwork for future contributions to European ICF projects. By integrating experimental expertise, target development, and advanced diagnostic techniques, the project aims to support the development of high-yield, laser-driven fusion systems and strengthen Europe’s position in the global ICF research landscape.

Speaker: Farmesk Abubaker (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

12:20 First compact plasma-based user facilities at LNF: EuAPS and EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB toward next-generation radiation sources

on behalf of EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB and EuAPS groups

The development of compact light sources in the X-ray and XUV spectral regions relies on high-energy, high-brightness electron beams, typically in the 100 MeV to few GeV range. Conventional RF linacs capable of producing such beams are large-scale installations - often several kilometers long - due to their limited accelerating gradient.
Plasma-based acceleration, offering gradients up to three orders of magnitude higher, represents a breakthrough toward smaller, more cost-effective facilities, paving the way for a new generation of compact, user-oriented X-ray sources.
Within the framework of the European EuPRAXIA initiative [1], included in the ESFRI roadmap, the Frascati National Laboratories (LNF) are developing two complementary plasma-based user facilities: EuAPS (EuPRAXIA Advanced Photon Sources) and EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB [2].
EuAPS, funded by the Next Generation EU program, is the first to be realized. It will provide a compact betatron X-ray source driven by the 250 TW FLAME laser [3], capable of producing ultrashort (tens of femtoseconds) and broadband X-ray pulses (2–8 keV). A dedicated user beamline is expected to become operational by mid-2026.
EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB, in turn, is developing a beam driven plasma accelerator facility combining a high-brightness X-band linac and a plasma acceleration stage, with the goal of generating FEL radiation in the XUV (3-15 nm) and VUV (50-150 nm) ranges by the end of 2031. The Technical Design Report is nearing completion, and the construction of the new infrastructure is expected to start by the end of 2026.
This contribution presents the first two compact plasma-based user facilities under development at LNF within the EuPRAXIA framework, highlighting their design concepts, technological advances, and progress toward the realization of next generation plasma-driven radiation sources.

References
[1] R. W. Assmann et al, Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top., 229 (2020)
[2] M. Ferrario et al, Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. A, 909 (2018)
[3] Galletti, Mario, et al, Applied Sciences 14.19 (2024): 8619

Speaker: Gemma Costa (INFN-LNF)

12:40 → 13:10 Sponsors Session

Convener: Dr Alfio Domenico Pappalardo (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

12:40 ST Microelectronics: Innovation Landscape in Power, Photonic, and Sensing Technologies at STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics drives innovation in power, sensing, and photonic technologies to enable next-generation applications. The presentation highlights STMicroelectronics' key strengths, including its broad portfolio of qualified technologies, extensive product range, and strong partnerships with leading research institutions. It also emphasizes the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. Additionally, the presentation covers ST's strategic approach, research collaborations, and technology scouting efforts aimed at accelerating development and industrial adoption. It provides insights into future trends and opportunities in these fields.

Speaker: Fabrizio La Rosa (STMicroelectronics, Catania (IT))

2025_11_18 - HPLA 2025 - STMicroelectronics_v.1.2.pptx

12:55 CAEN: Advanced Electronics for Science and Innovation

CAEN S.p.A., established in 1979 as a spin-off of INFN, is a world leader in the design and production of advanced electronics for nuclear and particle physics. Its product range includes high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies, front-end electronics, digitizers, and data acquisition systems, widely used in major research laboratories such as CERN and INFN.
The company has extensive experience in developing high-voltage modules and front-end electronics for detectors used in a variety of experimental conditions, including challenging environments with high radiation or magnetic fields.
In addition to serving the scientific community, CAEN also supports applications in aerospace, nuclear safety, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspection. Its commitment to quality and reliability is backed by ISO 9001 certification and decades of collaboration with the international research ecosystem.
Thanks to a flexible and innovation-driven approach, CAEN continues to provide cutting-edge solutions tailored to the evolving needs of fundamental and applied science.

Speaker: Cristina Mattone (CAEN SpA)

13:10 → 15:00 Lunch Break

15:00 → 16:20 Diagnostic, Dosimetry and Radiobiology

Convener: Dr G A Pablo Cirrone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

15:00 Advancing Radiobiology Research at Laser-Driven Radiation Sources

Purpose:
Laser-driven acceleration of ionizing radiation has rapidly progressed from theoretical models to reproducible experimental demonstrations. Within the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI), recent developments now enable systematic biological studies using laser-accelerated electrons, protons, and neutrons. The aim of this work is to present key experimental achievements and corresponding biological results obtained in pioneering in vitro and in vivo models, highlighting the potential of laser-driven beams for radiobiology and preclinical research.
Methods:
Experiments were performed at the ELI Beamlines (ELI BL) and ELI ALPS facilities using human glioblastoma (U251) cells and zebrafish embryos (24 hpf) as biological models. Custom-designed sample holders were developed for each setup to accommodate the specific beam conditions. Dose distributions were calculated via Monte Carlo simulations, and beam size and sample positioning were optimized accordingly. For proton and electron irradiations, EBT3 and EBT4 Gafchromic film dosimetry was employed, while neutron delivery was monitored using bubble and scintillation detectors. The analyzed biological endpoints included DNA double-strand breaks (γH2AX), apoptosis (Acridine Orange staining), morphology, and survival. Conventional irradiations — i.e., LINAC-based photon and electron, and cyclotron-based proton and neutron exposures — served as reference standards.
A total of eleven laser-driven irradiation campaigns were completed: six with electrons, four with neutrons, and one with protons.
• Neutron beam (ELI ALPS): Generated via deuterium–deuterium fusion using laser-plasma technology. The source operated stably for several hours at 10–100 Hz. Doses between 0.05–1.5 Gy were delivered in vacuum over six repeated irradiations. Dose mapping and Monte Carlo simulations ensured uniform exposure.
• Proton beam (ELI Beamlines): A laser-accelerated beam operated stably for several hours, delivering 2–3 Gy in air at the plateau region. Three runs at six dose levels (2.2–2.8 Gy) were performed with precise dosimetry and verified beam parameters.
• Electron beams (ELI BL and ELI ALPS): Six experimental campaigns comprising 126 runs and 87 dose points (2–126 Gy) were conducted in air. Laser-wakefield acceleration produced reproducible dose delivery at ultra-high dose rates per pulse.
Results:
Laser-driven radiation sources have rapidly improved in alignment accuracy, beam quality, and stability, demonstrating suitability for biological experiments with good dose control and measurable biological effects.
• Neutron irradiation (ELI ALPS): Zebrafish embryos exhibited clear dose-dependent increases in γH2AX and apoptotic cell counts. Comparative analysis revealed similar biological effects for laser-based and conventional neutron (CN) exposures. The calculated RBE₍apoptosis₎ = 3.5 and RBE₍DNA-DSB₎ = 2.5, confirming high biological effectiveness of the 3.2 MeV laser-driven neutron beam.
• Proton irradiation (ELI Beamlines): Stable beam performance enabled precise biological characterization at the plateau region. Zebrafish embryos irradiated at 2.2–2.8 Gy showed significant apoptotic and DNA damage induction, yielding RBE₍apoptosis₎ = 1.3, consistent with conventional low-LET radiation expectations.
• Electron irradiation (ELI BL and ALPS): Across 126 runs, laser-driven electrons induced dose-dependent apoptosis, DNA damage, and morphological abnormalities (reduced body length, smaller eye diameter, pericardial and yolk sac edema). Preliminary data suggest promising normal-tissue sparing compared with LINAC-based electron irradiation.
Overall, the biological endpoints confirmed that laser-driven beams induce biologically relevant, dose-dependent effects and, at higher doses, exhibit healthy tissue–sparing properties compared to conventional accelerator sources.
Discussion:
These results represent a major step toward the integration of laser-driven radiation into radiobiology. High-power laser systems now routinely achieve stable multi-hour operation with sufficient energy and repetition rate to support systematic biological studies. The combination of ultra-high instantaneous dose rate and micrometer-scale focusing enables irradiation geometries relevant for investigating FLASH-like and microbeam effects, as well as highly localized tissue responses.
However, further refinement of beam transport, dosimetry calibration, and online monitoring remains essential. Establishing common standards for beam characterization and biological evaluation across ELI sites will be crucial to ensure comparability and reproducibility of results.
Conclusion:
Following extensive theoretical groundwork, experimental validation at ELI facilities has confirmed that laser-driven electrons, protons, and neutrons can elicit controlled, biologically meaningful effects in both cell and organism models. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of laser-based sources for radiobiology and preclinical research, bridging the gap between high-power laser physics and biomedical application.

Speaker: Katalin Hideghéty (ELI-ALPS, Wolfgang Sandner utca 3, Szeged, (HU))

15:20 Radiobiology with laser-driven, high energy, electron beams

Laser-driven electron acceleration schemes can be easily and reliably used to accelerate electrons in the energy band between 20 MeV and 200 MeV, termed Very-High Energy (VHEE). Such radiation quality is regarded as a promising candidate for novel radiation therapy schemes, owing to a favourable depth-dose deposition profile and the possibility of reaching very-high dose-rates required by FLASH therapy schemes. Moreover, the compactness of the laser-driven technique, highly versatile, opens a wide range of possibilities for the study of peculiar irradiation temporal modalities.

The experimental application of a laser-driven VHEE source to systematic irradiation of in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo biological targets will be presented. Monitoring of the laser-driven electron beam (charge, spectrum, stability) will be discussed with an eye on dosimetry and beam characterization best practices. Relaxation of spectral conditions enable reaching doses as high as 350 mGy/shot over 1cm target diameter, and a uniform penetration up to 5cm. The application to in vivo deep irradiation will be presented for the case of whole-thorax irradiation in mice. Passive beam expansion and shaping are used to conform the deposited dose to the target volume, while protecting at-risk organs. Perspectives of laser-driven sources as a tool for exploring the differential toxicity between conventional, FLASH and laser-driven irradiation modalities will be discussed.

Speaker: Alessandro Flacco (LOA/ENSTA)

15:40 Zebrafish (Danio rerio): a small preclinical model with great potential for radiobiological studies on FLASH effect understanding

In the context of radiobiology research, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become an established model for screening different radiation beams and modifiers in a complex organism, considering the convenient manipulation conditions and well-validated analyses for studying post-irradiation induced damage [1].
We explored the response of zebrafish embryos (up to 120 hours post fertilization, hpf) to photon or proton irradiation delivered at conventional and ultra-high dose rates, in terms of multiple biological endpoints, from morphological evaluations to molecular insights [2; 3]. Quantitative and qualitative analyses on developmental malformations were manually conducted twice by independent operators at 96-119 hpf, by using ImageJ software® and applying a scoring system previously described [4]. In this scenario, in which the IR effects assessment is time consuming and operator-dependent, there is an increasing need to adapt radiomics tools for preclinical studies. Indeed, radiomics reveals novel biomarkers or patterns beyond traditional features and could offer a deeper insight in the understanding of involved biological processes and in the early prediction of radiation treatment outcomes [5].
Thus, in this preclinical context, the use of an imaging tool, able to extract operator-independent features on irradiated zebrafish embryos, represents a step forward to gain a deeper understanding of the biological effects induced by conventional and novel irradiation modalities, with short timescales and statistically significant results.

Speaker: Giusi Irma Forte (IBSBC-CNR, Cefalù (IT) and INFN-LNS, Catania (IT))

16:00 Radiobiology at ELI Beamlines

With the growing number of cancer patients requiring radiation treatment, advances in accelerator technologies are essential. ELI Beamlines explores laser-driven accelerators as competitive sources of ionizing radiation for therapy compared with conventional machines. Their spatially compact, potentially more economical architectures—and their distinctive temporal and dose-rate characteristics—could broaden access to advanced radiotherapy and may offer added biological advantages.
This talk will primarily focus on proton therapy and, in particular, on laser-driven proton (LDP) beams. Proton therapy is a modern method of cancer treatment that offers a number of advantages over standard (photon and electron) radiotherapy, such as more precise dose delivery to the tumor, thereby minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. At ELI Beamlines, the LDP acceleration system is powered by the L3 HAPLS petawatt laser, integrated with the ELIMAIA (ELI Multidisciplinary Applications of laser-Ion Acceleration) laser plasma accelerator and the ELIMED (ELI MEDical application) beam transport and dosimetry line, supporting multi-shot proton delivery for user experiments. Initial radiobiology campaigns at this platform have spanned over normal and cancer cell models in both 2D and 3D (e.g., fibroblasts and tumor spheroids), as well as vertebrate and avian embryos, with endpoints including DNA double-strand break foci (γH2AX, 53BP1), apoptosis, survival, stress-response markers, and transcriptomics. These studies illustrate the platform’s potential for ultrafast radiation biology, while the biological effectiveness of LDP, and its interplay with delivery time structure, continue to be systematically evaluated.
Furthermore, ELI Beamlines also provides laser-driven electron capabilities: the ALFA station delivers high-repetition-rate (up to kHz), tens-of-MeV electron beams suitable for application-oriented studies; the ELBA station provides GeV-class electrons for advanced experiments, encompassing and extending the VHEE regime.
Recent LDP results will be summarized, followed by a discussion of the practical specifics and peculiarities of working with laser-driven beams; future research opportunities and possibilities enabled by these sources will also be outlined.

Speaker: Pavel Bláha (ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Dolni Brezany (CZ))

16:20 → 16:40 Coffee Break

16:40 → 17:40 Poster Session

17:40 → 20:30 Social Tour

20:30 → 23:20 Gala Dinner

Wednesday 19 November

09:30 → 10:50 Nuclear Physics

Convener: Dr Salvatore Tudisco (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

09:30 Fusion energy research with high power lasers in Europe: from ELI to HiPER+

High‑power laser driven inertial fusion energy (IFE) is entering a pivotal phase in Europe, building upon flagship initiatives such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Mission‑Based Access Programme and the HiPER+ roadmap. The recent ELI call for coordinated experimental access directly supports the study of laser–plasma interactions and high‑energy‑density (HED) physics for direct‑drive implosions, providing a platform for advancing Inertial Confinement Fusion research. These initiatives mark a decisive step toward establishing a European framework for IFE, complementing magnetic confinement approaches and reinforcing Europe’s scientific role in the global fusion landscape. Ultimately, the synergy between ELI and HiPER+ initiatives will provide the foundation for a next‑generation European laser fusion facility capable of demonstrating ignition and high‑gain conditions, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in inertial fusion energy and its contribution to a sustainable, carbon‑free energy future.
In the presentation I will review the key physics challenges that remain for achieving efficient coupling of laser energy to the target, for mitigating hydrodynamic and parametric instabilities (e.g., Rayleigh‑Taylor, laser imprint, Brillouin and Raman scattering), and for optimising energy transport in warm dense matter. HiPER+ focuses on these issues through integrated design and simulations and experimental campaigns across major laser facilities such as ELI, PHELIX, LULI, PALS and smaller scale laboratories for target and diagnostic development, as well as for training. We will discuss about parallel efforts tackling technologies—high‑efficiency diode‑pumped lasers, precision target fabrication and injection, radiation‑hard diagnostics, and materials for extreme environments. This coordinated European effort bridges fundamental plasma physics and engineering design, establishing a clear pathway from laboratory‑scale ignition experiments to reactor‑relevant operation.

Speaker: Leonida Gizzi (CNR-INO and INFN)

09:50 Perspectives for the physics of nuclear decays in laser-generated vs ECR plasmas

This contribution focuses on nuclear beta decays occurring in highly ionized matter. Since the 1950s, several studies have investigated whether beta decay rates depend on the physical properties of the surrounding environment. While early experiments in high-pressure and high-temperature matter revealed only small variations—on the order of 3%—a dramatic change was later observed in the 1990s using Storage Rings, where decays of fully stripped or hydrogen-like ions were measured. For instance, the lifetime of 187Re, normally on the order of tens of gigayears, was found to collapse to only a few decades. This striking modification arises from a new decay channel known as Bound-State Beta Decay (BSBD). In this process, the emitted beta electron can be captured directly into an inner atomic orbital, altering the decay Q-value and phase-space configuration. As a result, the decay constant can increase dramatically, reducing the lifetime by many orders of magnitude. Beyond its intrinsic interest as a phenomenon at the intersection of atomic and nuclear physics, BSBD has significant implications for nuclear astrophysics. It affects the competition between neutron capture and beta decay in the s-process nucleosynthesis pathways that govern the production of heavy elements in stars. At INFN-LNS, a new facility named PANDORA is under construction to investigate, for the first time, BSBD and related effects within an Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) plasma confined by a multimirror superconducting magnetic trap. The initial experimental program includes isotopes such as 94Nb, 176Lu, and 134Cs. In PANDORA, beta-decay lifetimes will be measured as a function of the electron temperature in a non-LTE plasma, where electrons reach energies of several tens of keV, while ions remain relatively cold (~eV).
In parallel, this contribution explores the potential of a future experiment employing a high-power, picosecond laser to generate plasmas under LTE conditions. Such an environment could enable the study of nuclear excitation—either direct or indirect, for example through Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture (NEEC)—opening the way to unprecedented investigations of beta decay from excited nuclear matter. This scenario closely mirrors the conditions of astrophysical plasmas, offering a unique opportunity to simulate and understand the mechanisms of elemental nucleosynthesis in stellar environments

Speaker: David Mascali (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

10:10 Nuclear AstroPhysics via Coulomb Explosion Mechanism

On behalf of the Asfin collaboration

The study of nuclear reactions in laboratory has always been hindered by the very low cross-sections values at energies of astrophysical interest (1-100keV). This leads nuclear astrophysicists either to build huge and expensive underground laboratories where to perform long experiments with low and controlled background (e.g. LUNA, JUNA), or to exploit in-direct methods usually involving nuclear-structure models such as the Trojan Horse Method (THM) or Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient (ANC). Nevertheless, plasma in stellar objects is a very different state from the solid or gas targets commonly used in standard nuclear physics experiments involving conventional accelerators. It is well known that the plasma state affects in a non-negligeable way many nuclear processes (e.g.: the Electron Screening in fusion reactions).
Laser-driven plasma experiments now enable the creation of thermodynamic conditions similar to those in stellar interiors. This allows for controlled laboratory studies of fusion reactions that are otherwise only accessible through astrophysical modeling. In this framework, a dedicated system comprising a cryogenically cooled supersonic valve with controlled temperature and an array of neutron and charged particle detectors will unlock a systematic study of laser-induced $^2$H-$^2$H fusion reactions. Finally, that would represent the solid groundings for a more ambitious study of other astrophysically relevant nuclear fusion reactions involving heavier nuclei (such as $^{12}$C) and more sophisticated detection systems, with the final goal to study the effect of the Electron Screening in plasma.

Speaker: Giovanni Luca Guardo (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

10:30 Possible Nuclear Physics applications of Laser-driven srouces

Due to the high intensity achieved in nowadays experiments, laser-matter interactions allow to accelerate particles to energies relevant to nuclear physics. However, those particles of interest come within a mixture of various particles and energies, and during a timeframe ranging from 10s of fs to ns. Such an environment is drastically different from the accelerator's ones usually used for nuclear physics studies. This major differences induce difficulties but also opportunities to tackle problems that would be harder to investigate otherwise. We will present here a range of experiments and projects that aim to do so.

Speaker: Vincent Lelasseux (ELI-NP, IFIN-HH)

10:50 → 11:20 Coffee Break

11:20 → 12:20 Diagnostic, Dosimetry and Radiobiology

Convener: Dr Alberto Sciuto (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

11:20 The ELIMAIA/ELIMED ion station at ELI-Beamlines for multidisciplinary applications

The ELIMAIA/ELIMED beamline at the ELI Beamlines user facility provides a versatile platform for multidisciplinary research with laser-accelerated ions. The system integrates high-power laser irradiation, and laser-driven ion generation with a flexible end-stations for studies in plasma physics, materials science, radiobiology, and cultural heritage. ELIMAIA (ELI Multidisciplinary Applications of Ion Acceleration) enables the production and characterization of laser-driven ion beams, while ELIMED (ELI MEDical applications), developed in cooperation with INFN-LNS, allows precise selection of ion and proton beams at desired energies, together with accurate collimation and dosimetric control of the beam.
Recent experiments demonstrated the commissioning and reliable operation of the ELIMAIA/ELIMED transport line, supported by advanced diagnostics including time-of-flight detectors, Thomson parabolas, and in-air dosimetric tools. The achieved beam parameters and in-air irradiation capability confirm the maturity of ELIMAIA/ELIMED as a key user station at ELI Beamlines, bridging laser–plasma acceleration research with applications in materials and life sciences.

Speaker: Lorenzo Giuffrida (ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Dolni Brezany (CZ))

11:40 Dosimetric measurements of proton beams at ELIMAIA-ELIMED facility and the new beamline @ I-LUCE

This presentation will focus on the strategies for absolute and relative dosimetry of laser-driven ion beams at the upcoming I-LUCE facility. The author will first present the experience gained at the ELIMED/ELIMAIA beamlines at ELI-Beamlines facility (Dolnì Brezanì, CZ), where advanced diagnostic systems have been successfully developed and tested. The main detectors employed include Secondary Emission Monitors (SEM), Integrated Current Transformers (ICT), multi-gap ionization chambers, and Faraday cups used in combination with calibrated radiochromic films for high-precision dose measurements. Building on this expertise, a similar diagnostic framework will be implemented at I-LUCE, with planned upgrades aimed at improving detector performance, signal accuracy, and real-time beam monitoring. The enhanced setup will support ion beams in the 15–50 AMeV energy range, enabling detailed characterization of beam parameters and dose delivery. The presentation will also outline the expected experimental capabilities for irradiation studies and the potential impact of these developments on laser-driven ion beam applications in medical physics and radiation science.

Speaker: Giada Petringa (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania (IT))

12:00 Spectroscopic ion diagnostics in experiments of high intensity laser matter interaction

Laser-matter interaction can be an effective way for ion acceleration, according to different physical schemes [1]. The most advanced developments have recently provided proton beams with energies exceeding 100 MeV [2]. Other methods for particle acceleration regard the laser-triggering of nuclear fusion reactions, such as p-11B, for providing a wideband emission of alpha particles [3]. In the previous mechanisms, a multitude of ion species is simultaneously accelerated. It is thus important to identify and characterize spectroscopically one of these species, separating it to the other contributions. This difficult task needs of the simultaneous use of different diagnostic methodologies. In this presentation we will show how Thomson Spectroscopy, Track Detection (on CR39) and Time-of-Flight detection, and exploitation of the different ion stopping powers in solid materials can lead to particle identification and spectroscopic analysis. We will also show the potential of these solutions in the context of high-repetition-rate intense laser-matter experiments.

References
[1] P. Gibbon, “Short Pulse Laser Interactions with Matter”, Imperial College Press, 2005.
[2] Y. Shou, et al. “Laser-driven proton acceleration beyond 100 MeV by radiation pressure and Coulomb repulsion in a conduction-restricted plasma” Nat Commun 16, 1487 (2025).
[3] S. Kimura, et al., Comment on “Observation of neutronless fusion reactions in picosecond laser plasmas,” Phys. Rev. E 79, 038401 (2009).

Acknowledgment
This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium, funded by the European Union via the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Grant Agreement No 101052200 — EUROfusion). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Speaker: M. Alonzo (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma Tor Vergata)

12:20 → 13:05 Sponsors Session

Convener: Dr Jose Juan Suarez Vargas (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

12:20 FANTIN: Mechanical Solutions for Big Science

The history of Fantini Sud is an example of an Italian company contributing significantly to pioneering research, integrating industry and science in a shared commitment to research, innovation, and knowledge. Over the years, we have achieved expertise in mechanical manufacturing, in the production of large vacuum chambers, and in many other customized products. It's been a development journey driven by passion and commitment, which has allowed us to collaborate with leading European laboratories. Participating in large-scale technological projects signified a qualitative step innovation for us. We have improved our internal processes, obtained certifications and increased our international presence. Thanks to our in-house production and design capabilities, we can manage prototypes, small series and highly complex research projects. Founded in 1998, Fantini Sud's research division immediately had a special vocation: To create mechanical solutions for scientific challenges. From its early collaborations with the Gran Sasso Laboratories (INFN), such as the OPERA experiment, to more recent European projects, Fantini Sud has combined innovation and precision in the construction of complex equipment.

Speaker: Francesco Fantini (FANTINI SUD SPA)

12:35 ELEXIND: integrated expertise and solutions for contamination control in high‑critical environments

For more than forty years, Elexind has been developing and supplying integrated solutions for the design, management, and maintenance of controlled contamination environments. The company operates in the field of environmental systems engineering applied to the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food, microelectronic, mechanical, automotive, and aerospace sectors, where the control of particulate, molecular, and biological contaminants, as well as electrostatic charges, is essential to ensure process quality and reproducibility.
Elexind’s technical-scientific approach is based on the integration of environmental design, material characterization, and operational optimization. A deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks — in particular ISO 14644 and ISO 14698 — guides the definition of modular and scalable solutions capable of guaranteeing long-term performance and compliance with particulate and microbiological classification requirements.
The design of modular cleanrooms represents one of the company’s main areas of expertise. The hard-wall, soft-wall, and flex-wall configurations meet different containment and flexibility requirements, reaching up to ISO Class 4 standards. Hard-wall solutions are based on rigid structures with panels characterized by high chemical-physical inertia (stainless steel, dissipative PVC, polypropylene, or acrylic), suitable for permanent applications and high cleanliness classes. The soft-wall and flex-wall systems instead introduce a modular and reconfigurable paradigm, with flexible antistatic polymeric film barriers allowing rapid adaptation of the environment to layout or process variations.
Complementing the architectural structure, Elexind designs and provides systems and components aimed at preserving environmental purity: technical furniture designed to minimize particulate emission, dressing and protection equipment for operators, and specific materials for cleaning and decontamination. These elements are selected and tested based on compatibility criteria with the required cleanliness classes and with the chemical substances used in production, in a logic of integrated validation between infrastructure, personnel, and operational procedures.
From a methodological point of view, Elexind’s activity extends to environmental monitoring instrumentation, a key element in maintaining ISO compliance. The company provides and integrates optical particle counters, ionizers, environmental sensors, and devices for continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, and differential pressure. These instruments allow real-time verification of the operational status of the cleanroom and collection of data useful for traceability and preventive risk management.
A qualifying aspect of Elexind’s technical approach is its systemic view of contamination as a multifactorial phenomenon simultaneously involving particulate sources, operators, materials, and airflow. The company therefore promotes solutions that enable the integrated management of the entire cleanroom ecosystem, including the dressing chain, material flow, surface cleaning, and scheduled maintenance of equipment. This interdisciplinary perspective allows the optimization of containment procedures and the reduction of variability due to human or environmental factors.
From an infrastructural perspective, Elexind has a warehouse of over 2,500 m² ensuring immediate availability of standardized components and materials. This allows a reduction in implementation and validation times for controlled environments — a key aspect in industrial processes characterized by high dynamism or rapid commissioning requirements.
Internal research and development activities are focused on the continuous improvement of materials and cleaning technologies, with particular attention to reducing particulate release, improving filtration efficiency, and enhancing the sustainability of the employed products. This approach fits within the broader context of innovation applied to clean technology, where contamination control is integrated with energy efficiency and environmental impact reduction.
Elexind’s operational philosophy is based on principles of metrological reliability, traceability, and reproducibility of results. Every component intended for cleanroom applications — from furniture to cleaning materials — is selected according to test protocols and certified technical data. The company also collaborates with technical partners and analytical institutes to verify the performance of materials in terms of particulate release, residual electrostatic charge, and chemical compatibility.
In the context of modern contamination engineering, Elexind’s extensive experience allows it to propose technical solutions that combine regulatory rigor with operational adaptability. The modularity of structures, the integration between architectural and functional elements, and the availability of advanced environmental monitoring systems constitute the core of the company’s methodological approach.
Altogether, these competencies contribute to maintaining high reliability standards in sensitive production processes, reducing the risk of environmental deviation and improving overall product quality. Elexind’s perspective is therefore not limited to that of a component supplier, but rather that of a technical partner capable of supporting the complete cycle of design, validation, and operational management of controlled environments.
In summary, Elexind’s forty years of experience in the cleanroom sector translate into interdisciplinary know-how that integrates design, material engineering, environmental control, and logistics. Through an approach based on technical evidence and regulatory compliance, the company contributes to the development and dissemination of sustainable and standardized practices for contamination control in high-critical production environments.

Speaker: Alessandro Gramegna (Elexind)

12:50 LIOP-TEC GmbH: LIOP-TEC GmbH: Company Profile of LIOP-TEC GmbH

LIOP-TEC GmbH is a small high-tech – company founded in 2012. At our premises in Radevormwald, Germany, we develop, manufacture and distribute two main lines of products, opto-mechanical and fine-mechanical products as well as tunable laser systems, in particular pulsed dye laser systems and accessories.

Opto-mechanical components comprise our well-known highly stable and very precise mirror mounts for laser beam steering applications both in R&D and in the laser industry. The standard pitch of the adjusters of our mounts is 170 TPI. Our core strength lies in developing solutions tailored to the particular needs of our customers, e.g. mirror mounts for extremely large mirrors used in high power laser systems of the petawatt class (ANTARES® mounts), mirror mounts for applications in high and ultra-high vacuum environments, non-magnetic mirror mounts, special components for the laser industry. In fine-mechanics we offer various kinds of fine thread screws up to a pitch of 170 TPI.

LIOP-TEC dye laser systems are mainly used in scientific research, e.g. for linear and non-linear spectroscopy, but are also applied in areas such as combustion studies and analysis of contaminants in atmospheric studies. The systems are characterised both by their rigid and extremely stable mechanical design and modern concepts of beam steering. In the dye laser field in addition to laser systems LIOP-TEC GmbH offers accessories, service and consulting.

Speaker: Patrick Incorvaia (LIOP-TEC GmbH)

13:05 → 13:25 Award Session: Best Poster

13:25 → 14:45 Lunch

14:45 → 15:45 Laboratory Tour