Innovative Education & Training in Laser Inertial Fusion Energy – LaserFusion
Erasmus+ KA2 project ID: 2024-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000249775
Laser-driven Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) has entered a decisive phase following ignition milestone at the U.S. National Ignition Facility at 2022. The ongoing effort to establish a roadmap for laser IFE in Europe further signifies the partnership commitment to address the needs of the laser fusion community and underscores the dedication to train young personnel and foster technological advancements in laser fusion.
LaserFusion is a 3-year Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project aim to deliver a pan‑European training‑and‑mobility programme that produces the first comprehensive curriculum in Laser Inertial Fusion Energy.
The project coordinated by the Hellenic Mediterranean University unites eight leading European actors in the filed of IFE: Université de Bordeaux, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, University of York, Friedrich‑Schiller‑Universität Jena, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC and Institut Polytechnique de Paris. Assosiated partner of the project is the company Focused Energy Inc.
The Erasmus+ LaserFusion project aligns strategically with the ongoing research initiatives of the HiPER+ (High Power Energy Research+) program, a European programme on IFE with the mission to demonstrate laser-driven ignition in the direct-drive scheme and to develop pathway technologies for the commercial fusion reactor. (www.laserfusion.eu/)
Mission: LaserFusion aims to “trigger last‑year Bachelor, Master and PhD students to enhance their skills for employability in Laser IFE” .
Objectives
- Deliver innovative curricula across three domains (Working Packages):
- Physics & diagnostics of IFE (WP2).
- Laser & laser‑plasma source technologies (WP3)
- Computational simulations, including materials (WP4).
- Provide each year five‑day research school and ten‑day Intensive Programme (IP) focused on each domain, hosted by partner organizations.
- Publish open‑access e‑books and learning objects for global reuse.
Timeline
| Phase | Indicative Period | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2024/09 → 2025/12 | WP2 activities ( in Pisa & Bordeaux) + Kick-off Meeting |
| Year 2 | 2025/10 → 2026/10 | WP3 activities (in Jena, Paris & Dolní Břežany) |
| Year 3 | 2026/09 → 2027/09 | WP4 activities (in York, Madrid & Retymhno) + Multiplier Event |