Slovakia on the path to partnership in ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure)

ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure) is listed on the ESFRI Roadmap and is currently in the operational phase.
It operates a system of the world’s most powerful lasers accessible in user mode on the basis of open access (excellence-based access).

These lasers are used not only for research in the field of laser physics and technology, but also for research in a wide portfolio of scientific fields, from the study of the interaction of radiation with matter, materials physics, through chemistry, to biology and medicine.

In addition to the above-mentioned user-friendly approach, it also offers a thematic-oriented approach in areas such as particle acceleration (compact laser-controlled accelerators, EuPRAXIA project), plasma physics for inertial fusion, or the study of ultrafast processes (attoscience).

Two ELI ERIC centers are currently operating:
ELI ALPS, located in Szeged, Hungary, which focuses on the field of ultrafast processes, and ELI Beamlines, which is located in Dolní Brežany near Prague and focuses on high-power lasers (PW class). The third center, ELI-NP, which is based in Magurele, Romania, focuses on the study of light-induced nuclear reactions and is expected to join ELI ERIC in the coming years.

Geographically, Slovakia is located exactly between the countries hosting the ELI ERIC centers, making it ideally positioned to use both centers.
ELI ERIC has been cooperating with the Slovak International Laser Center CVTI SR (ILC) for several years.
A national contact point for ELI ERIC has been established in Slovakia and Slovakia already has several successful users of ELI ERIC.

ILC has unique instrumentation within the Slovak Republic, including the most powerful FS system in Slovakia. ILC activities are complementary to ELI ERIC activities. Therefore, ILC is in a suitable position to become a “representative entity” for the Slovak Republic in ELI ERIC in the observer phase in cooperation with the representative of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, or with NCP XFEL and ERI. The observer phase lasts three years and allows strengthening the scientific community, clearly identifying the interests of the Slovak Republic and tactics for the effective use of the infrastructure. Individual steps will also be closely coordinated with the ministry, the professional community and ELI ERIC.

The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, within the framework of implementing measure No. 1.3.4.2. “Creation of a scheme and mechanisms to support basic research infrastructure”, which results from the Action Plan of the National Strategy for Research, Development and Innovation, adopted by Resolution of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 134 of March 28, 2023, supports national research infrastructure platforms that are on the ESFRI Roadmap or have the ambition to get there.
The aim of the above measure is to ensure the sustainability and further development of national activities in relation to the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) by supporting the operational, development and investment activities of national ESFRI-type research infrastructure platforms, such as ELI ERIC.
Joining ELI ERIC is also a strategic decision in the framework of cooperation with our Central European partners, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Socio-economic benefits and strategic importance of ELI ERIC membership:

• Increased competitiveness: Membership will bring a significant increase in competitiveness in the European Science and Innovation Area.
  
• Strengthening technologies: Membership represents an impetus for a significant strengthening of photonics and related technologies (such as the quantum revolution, AI and digitalization), which are almost completely absent in Slovakia, although they play a dominant role at the EU and global level.
  
• Job creation: The job market in the field of photonics is expected to be strengthened. In case of obtaining observer status, Slovak universities will be included in a joint program for the supervision of doctoral students, thus creating a base of trained experts for Slovakia.
  
• Economic incentives: Thanks to the ELI ERIC project, the Czech Republic has created more than 300 direct jobs for highly qualified personnel and has seen an increase in photonics exports by 15% in 2020-2025. It is expected that the involvement of the Slovak Republic could bring similar socio-economic benefits.
  
• Access to unique technologies: ELI ERIC is the largest and most advanced high-power laser infrastructure in the world. The connection of MLC and ELI ERIC opens up opportunities not currently available to the scientific community and innovative businesses.

In the near future, the Office of the VI at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, representatives of the ILC and the management of the NCP XFEL and ERI will hold talks to discuss whether the ELI contact point will be part of the organizational structure of the NCP XFEL and ERI (similar to ILL, EST, ESUO), i.e. under what conditions could the NCP XFEL and ERI support the participation of the Slovak Republic in ELI and how to incorporate into the current activities of the NCP XFEL other activities necessary for the growth of the scientific community using ELI. We will of course keep you informed about the results of the talks in the Slovak community and with the management of the ELI ERIC.