Laserlab-Europe & Lasers4EU Annual & Users Meeting 2026

Lasers are becoming a key enabling technology for the next generation of space missions. From space debris tracking and removal, optical communications, and precision ranging to advanced manufacturing and planetary exploration, laser systems are expanding the capabilities of both institutional and commercial space actors. This session brings together academic, industrial, and institutional perspectives to discuss current technological maturity, system challenges, and future opportunities for laser-based solutions in sustainable and scalable space development.

In this session we will explore how cutting-edge laser and spectroscopy techniques are transforming the study, preservation and understanding of cultural heritage. From non-invasive imaging and advanced material characterization to conservation and diagnostics of historical artefacts: presentations will highlight scientific breakthroughs from fundamental research to applications that bridge academia and industry demonstrating how laser-based methods reveal hidden histories and support sustainable preservation of our shared cultural treasures.

Programme:

• Introduction by Sara Mosca (Central Laser Facility)
• Sam Walker (Agilent Technology), Non-destructive analysis of historical samples using SORS on the Agilent Handheld Spectrometer
• Marta Ghirardello (NIREOS), Exploring a novel Fourier transform-based technology for wide-field and microscopy hyperspectral imaging of Cultural Heritage
• Antonina Chaban (CNR), From Laserlab-Europe & Lasers4EU User Access at IESL-FORTH to New Research Directions in Wall Painting Diagnostics
• Victor Gonzalez (ENS Paris Saclay), Luminescence studies of historical pigments: connecting heritage science with photochemistry and photophysics
• Tutorial session “Let’s build together our laser-based experiments for cultural heritage”

AI and data science are crucial to link advanced photonic research to application scenarios like in clinics or environmental monitoring. This session focuses on the methodologies allowing the use of AI in small samples size scenarios, which typically arise in photonics-oriented research. Examples would be physical inspired augmentation strategies, transfer learning, physics informed neural networks, but also includes AI based optimization of measurements, components and setups.

Programme:

• Welcome by Thomas W. Bocklitz (IPHT Jena)
• Kosmas Klepsisdi (LMU Munich & Center for Molecular Fingerprinting), Modeling Human Health with Laser-Based Molecular Profiles and AI
• Pegah Dehbozorgi (FSU, IPHT Jena), AI for laser based imaging technologies
• Rob Shalloo (DESY)
• Davorin Peceli (ELI Beamlines), Machine Learning Meets Extreme Light: Smart Control and Diagnostics for Laser-Plasma Research at ELI Beamlines

This session focuses on emerging biomedical applications of high-intensity laser technologies, with emphasis on laser-driven particle sources and laser-based approaches to radionuclide production. Laser-accelerated electrons, protons, and heavier ions will be discussed, highlighting their characteristic beam parameters and their potential role as complementary tools to conventional accelerator facilities. The session will cover the current state of the field as well as future prospects, including the timelines for a potential clinical translation.

Programme:

• Welcome by Riccardo Cicchi (LENS)
• Welcome by Pavel Blaha (ELIMED)
• Gabriele Grittani (ELI Beamlines), Laser-acceleration of electrons
• Josefine Metzkes-Ng (HZDR), Laser-driven proton beams for bio-medical research
• Marco Borghesi (Queen’s University Belfast), Laser-driven carbon ion beams for radiobiology at ultra-high-dose-rates

High-end laser facilities within the Lasers4EU consortium serve a broad user community, from fundamental attosecond science to medical and industrial applications. Ensuring that these facilities provide reliable, reproducible and comparable results increasingly depends on robust, transparent and, where possible, standardised performance assessment. During the workshop, the subgroups developing protocols for standardised performance assessment adaptable to specific communities will present their work and results.

The Lasers4EU General Assembly will bring together project partners to review the achievements of the consortium collaboration and to plan the next steps for the project.

The Lasers4EU IAC meeting will bring together industry and project partners to shape the strategic direction of the project. Members will provide input on innovation needs, exploitation opportunities, and the integration of industry perspectives into project activities. Their expertise will help ensure Lasers4EU stays closely aligned with market demands.

This session, held as part of the first Lasers4EU User Meeting, is dedicated to strengthening collaboration with industrial partners. Following an introduction to the dedicated industry access route, participants will be invited to discuss priority areas, technical challenges, and emerging trends within their respective sectors. The roundtable offers a direct platform for the Consortium to demonstrate how its specialised facilities and expertise can address real-world industrial challenges.