The first in-person meeting of the newly established NEILS (‘Network on Extreme Intensity Laser Systems’) expert group took place on 8-9th December 2025 at LULI in Paris, France. The meeting was a continuation of the series of NEILS meetings held within Laserlab Europe. Representatives of the member facilities LULI/Apollon&LULI2000, RAL/CLF, GSI, ORION, CLPU and HZDR (online) came together to discuss technical and organizational topics, relevant to all the high-energy/high-power laser facilities.
In addition to presentations on the latest upgrades and R&D results of the different member facilities, topics such as the reliable measurement of key laser parameters, optimization of user operation, the handling of increased shot rates, the present and future role of AI in laser optimization and experiment, and how the facilities deal with obsolescence issues were discussed.
The NEILS meeting at LULI provided a perfect surrounding for these round table discussions, that were fuitfully continued between the participants during the coffee breaks, lunches and dinner. In addition, the participants of the host institution showed the external guests around their laser laboratories and experiment installations at Apollon and LULI2000.
Copy right: Bernhard Zielbauer
Copy right: Bernhard Zielbauer
Once again, getting together has proved to be extremely useful for all participants, exchanging ideas and experiences, enhanced by the in-person format, excellently organized by the host labs. In order not to limit this scientific, technical and organizational exchange to these meetings, the NEILS expert group is about to launch a discussion platform, the framework of which was also finalized during the meeting.
Zs. Major and B. Zielbauer on behalf of the NEILS expert group
Credit: Group picture by Sylvain Savalle