Advanced Research Training in Nuclear Photonics, 01.10.2023 – 31.12.2025
(Call: 5.9/5.9.1/ELI-RO Collaborative projects with Germany at ELI-NP)
The Advanced Research Training in Nuclear Photonics (ARNPhot) project, carried out during the 2023–2025 period, had as its main objective the advanced training of PhD students and the strengthening of interdisciplinary research in the field of nuclear photonics, at the interface between ultra-intense laser physics, laser–plasma interaction, and nuclear physics. The project was implemented through a collaboration between POLITEHNICA Bucharest, IFIN-HH / ELI-NP, and Technische Universität Darmstadt, making full use of the unique research infrastructure of ELI-NP.
Gradul de noutate al proiectului se reflectă în:
— integrarea laserelor ultra-intense în studiile de fizică nucleară;
— utilizarea țintelor nanostructurate și a tehnicilor avansate de diagnostic laser;
— combinarea cercetării experimentale cu simulări numerice de înaltă fidelitate;
— formarea doctoranzilor într-un mediu interdisciplinar, conectat direct la o infrastructură de cercetare de nivel mondial (ELI-NP).
Aceste elemente plasează ARNPhot dincolo de stadiul actual al cercetării convenționale în fizica nucleară și interacția laser–plasmă.
Impactul preconizat asupra comunității științifice
Impactul proiectului este semnificativ la multiple niveluri:
— formarea unei noi generații de cercetători cu competențe avansate și interdisciplinare;
— creșterea vizibilității internaționale a cercetării românești în fotonica nucleară;
— consolidarea colaborărilor internaționale cu instituții de prestigiu;
— contribuții directe la dezvoltarea experimentelor viitoare la ELI-NP;
— crearea unei baze solide pentru publicații științifice de impact ridicat și pentru proiecte de cercetare ulterioare.
The project activities were structured in successive stages (01.10.2023 – 31.12.2023, 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2024, 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2025) and included:
- Project management and scientific coordination, ensuring implementation in accordance with the work plan and contractual requirements;
- Individual doctoral research programs, tailored to the major thematic areas of nuclear photonics;
- Advanced training programs, including Lecture Weeks, specialized courses, seminars, and summer schools;
- International research mobility and internships, at TU Darmstadt, S-DALINAC, HIγS (USA), and other reference research facilities;
- Participation in international experiments, conferences, and workshops, facilitating the integration of PhD students into the international scientific community.
Throughout the project, PhD students and their supervisors achieved relevant results in several research directions:
- Ultra-intense laser physics and advanced diagnostics. Modern methods were developed and applied for the spatio-temporal characterization of high-power laser pulses, optimization of pulse compression, and compensation of temporal instabilities. These studies contributed to improving the performance of the ELI-NP laser systems and to the preparation of high-intensity experiments.
- Laser–plasma interaction and particle and photon sources. Research activities focused on ion acceleration and high-energy photon generation through the interaction of PW-class lasers with solid and structured targets. Extensive 2D and 3D PIC simulations were performed, together with studies on the efficiency of nanostructured and near-critical-density targets, as well as investigations on the focusing and manipulation of laser-accelerated proton beams.
- Advanced targets and nanostructured materials. Metallic nanostructures (nanowires, nanotubes) were fabricated and characterized with the aim of optimizing laser–matter interaction. These results demonstrated the potential of structured targets to enhance the yield of laser-driven particle and radiation sources.
- Nuclear physics and Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF). The project included experimental NRF studies, among which the first NRF investigation of the ¹⁰⁶Pd nucleus, as well as photodisintegration experiments (e.g., on ⁷Li). These activities provided valuable data for nuclear structure models and for applications in nuclear astrophysics.
1. A. Ur, Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics: Overview and Perspectives, International Symposium on the Celebration of 10 Years with ELI-NP – 10 PW on Target, Magurele, 24-25 October 2023
2. A. Ur, Extreme Light at ELI-NP, Vocile Progresului – AFIST, Magurele, 22 November 2023
3. Balabanski, Waiting for gamma beams @ ELI-NP: What do we expect to learn in gamma-beam experiments related to nuclear astrophysics?, International Symposium on Nuclear Astrophysics (ISNA – 2023), Manipal, India, Oct. 30th – Nov. 3rd, 2023
4. Balabanski, What can we learn from gamma-beam experiments, Seminar at TIFR, Mumbai, India, Nov. 7, 2023
5. Balabanski, What can we learn from next generation gamma-beam experiments, Seminar at ITT Ropar, India, Nov. 13, 2023
6. Popescu, V.A.; Popa, S.; Grimm, S.J.; Naziru, A.; Matei, D.G.; Dumitru, A.; Kuschel, S.; Ursescu, D. Evolution of Liquid Pellicles Under Ultra-Short Laser Irradiation for High-Repetition-Rate Applications. Poster, Direct Drive and Fast Ignition Workshop 2025, 19–22 May 2025.
7. Popa, S.; Alexe, C.; Matei, D.; Chagovets, T.; Gamaiunova, N.; Tryus, M.; Giuffrida, L.; Margarone, D.; Stan, C.; Ursescu, D. In situ liquid target characterization for high repetition rate high-power laser experiments. Presentation, Direct Drive and Fast Ignition Workshop 2025, 19–22 May 2025.
8. Dreghici, D.B.; Horny, V.; Tomassini, P.; Doria, D. Near-Critical Density Targets Efficiency in Laser-Driven Photon Production. Presentation, Carpathian Summer School of Physics 2025, 22 June–3 July 2025.
9. Nedelcu, C.V.; Xu, Y.; Balabanski, D.L. Effective energy window of the nuclear level density for the astrophysical reaction rate. Poster, XVIII International Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos 2025, 16–20 June 2025.
10. Corobean, B.; Horny, V.; Tomassini, P.; Doria, D. Quasi-monochromatic carbon ion beams with the “peeler” acceleration scheme. Presentation, 5th Smilei User & Training Workshop 2025, 19–21 March 2025.
11. Corobean, B.; Horny, V.; Pukhov, A.; d’Humières, E.; Doria, D.; Tomassini, P. Effects of laser pointing fluctuations on quasi-monochromatic carbon ion acceleration with the “peeler” scheme. Presentation, SPIE Optics+Optoelectronics 2025, 7–10 April 2025.
12. Corobean, B.; Horny, V.; Pukhov, A.; d’Humières, E.; Doria, D.; Ur, C.A.; Tomassini, P. Quasi-monochromatic carbon ion beams using the “peeler” acceleration scheme. Presentation, EPS Conference on Plasma Physics 2025, 7–11 July 2025.
13. Nedelcu, C.V.; Xu, Y.; Balabanski, D.L. Sensitivity of astrophysical reaction rate to nuclear level density across different energy intervals. Presentation, Young Researchers and Young Engineers Days, 25–26 Feb 2025.
14. Ionescu, S.; Ong, J.F.; Magureanu, A.; Neagu, L.; Nastasa, V.; Ghita, D.; Gheorghiu, C.; Tudor, L.; Popa, D.; Popescu, V.; Lupu, A.M.; Naum, D.; Doria, D.; Cernaianu, M.; Ticos, C.; Leca, V.; Tanaka, K.A. Irradiation with ultra-intense lasers of nanostructured targets for proton acceleration and X-ray emission. Poster, ELI User Meeting 2025, 18–20 June 2025.
15. Ionescu, S. Tailoring nanostructured targets for enhanced high power laser-solid interaction. Presentation, IRTG Days 2025, 22–23 May 2025.
16. Sebe, T. Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence on 106Pd. Presentation, IRTG Days 2025, 22–23 May 2025.
17. Alexe, C. Metrology of Spatio-Temporal Couplings (STC) in Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses for Particle Acceleration. Presentation, IRTG Days 2025, 22–23 May 2025.
18. Ursescu, D. Operational Performance and Experimental Advancements at the ELI-NP 10 PW Laser Facility for Nuclear Photonics Applications. Presentation, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
19. Kuncser, I. The study of the 3H(α,γ)7Li reaction through the inverse 7Li(γ,α)3H reaction. Presentation, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
20. Nalbaru, L.-A. Conical coil focusing of laser-plasma accelerated proton beams for biomedical applications. Presentation, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
21. Nedelcu, C. Characteristic energy interval of nuclear level density in astrophysical nucleon-capture reactions. Presentation, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
22. Dumitru, A. Control of spatio-temporal correlations for experiments with synchronized laser pulses. Presentation, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
23. Popa, S. Liquid sheet assisted temporal reconstruction of chirped picosecond pulses using PM-FROG. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
24. Alexe, C. Metrology of Spatio-Temporal Couplings (STC) in Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses for Particle Acceleration. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
25. Balabanski, D. Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence on 106 Pd. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
26. Okukura, A.-H. Post-compression of ultrashort high intensity pulses using Self Phase Modulation. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
27. Popescu, V.A. Recovery-Time Determination of Liquid-Leaf Targets under Ultra-Short Laser Irradiation for High-Repetition-Rate Applications. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
28. Ionescu, S.-C. Tailoring nanostructured targets for enhanced high-power laser-solid interaction. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
29. Corobean, B. Ultra-high brightness photon beams from laser interaction with structured solid targets. Poster, The 5th Nuclear Photonics Conference, TU Darmstadt, 6–10 Oct 2025.
1. Nistor, A. D. Dumitru, C. Derycke, O. Chalus, D. Ursescu, C. Ticoş, Assessing Optical Damage Risks by Simulating the Amplification of Back-Reflection in a Multi-Petawatt Laser system, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1017/hpl.2025.10049 (Open Access)
2. Popa, A. Nazîru, A.-M. Lupu, D. Gh. Matei, A. Dumitru, C. Alexe, I. Dăncuș, C. A. Stan, D. Ursescu, High-Repetition-Rate Targets for Plasma Mirror FROG on Chirped Picosecond Pulses, Photonics (MDPI), Vol. 12, Nr. 6, Art. 533, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12060533 (Open Access)
3. B. Nazîru, Ș. Popa, A.-M. Lupu, D. Gh. Matei, A. Dumitru, D. Nistor, A. Toma, L. Văsescu, I. Dăncuș, C. A. Stan, D. Ursescu, Drift-free, 11 fs pulse delay stability in dual-arm PW-class laser systems, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, Vol. 12, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1017/hpl.2024.54 (Open Access)
4. V. Nedelcu, Y. Xu, D. L. Balabanski, Influence of nuclear level density and gamma strength function on neutron capture reaction rate, U.P.B. Sci. Bull. Series A, Vol. 87, Iss. 1, 2025 (Open Access)
5. Corobean, V. Horný, A. Pukhov, E. d’Humières, D. Doria, P. Tomassini, Effects of laser pointing fluctuations on carbon ion acceleration with the peeler scheme, Proceedings of SPIE, 13535, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3056242
6. Boller, J. Hornung, A. Dumitru, C. Kanstein, E. Oezalp, J. B. Ohland, L. Wegert, V. Bagnoud, Prepulse-Induced Changes in Ion Acceleration Direction: Insights from TNSA Regime Experiments and Simulations at PHELIX, AIP Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 32, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0278103 (Open Access)
7. Lelasseux, D. Testov, S. Aogaki, D. L. Balabanski, A. Dhal, O. Morris, P. Parlea, T. Sebe, G. Turturica, Implementation of add-back procedure on ELIADE clover detector at the crystal level, Physica Scripta, Vol. 100, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/adf477 (Open Access)
8. Nalbaru, C. Ticoş, M. Arnold, Conical Coil Focusing of Laser-Plasma Accelerated Proton Beams for Applications, Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, vol. 28, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1103/656n-827p (Open Access)
9. Nalbaru, C. Ticoş, M. Arnold, Simulating the Focusing of Laser-Plasma Accelerated Proton Beams for Applications, 51st EPS Proceedings, 2025. https://lac913.epfl.ch/epsppd3/2025/html/P4_149.pdf
10. Gh. Matei, D. Ursescu, Laser power stabilization using a double prism attenuator, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 385, 116273, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2025.116273
11. Iancu, A.-M. Talpoşi, C. Gheorghiu, R. Ungureanu, I. Dăncuş, D. Gh. Matei, D. Ursescu, Quality assessment for large-aperture optical elements inducing phase jumps, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1017/hpl.2024.59 (Open Access)
12. Corobean, V. Horný, A. Pukhov, E. d’Humières, D. Doria, C. A. Ur, P. Tomassini, Laser-plasma acceleration of quasi-monoenergetic carbon ion beams with the “peeler” scheme, Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0273104 (Open Access)
13. Corobean, V. Horný, A. Pukhov, E. d’Humières, D. Doria, C. A. Ur, P. Tomassini, Quasi-monochromatic carbon ion beams using the “peeler” acceleration scheme, 51st EPS Proceedings, 2025. https://lac913.epfl.ch/epsppd3/2025/html/PDF/O_158.pdf
14. J. G. Borge, K. A. Tanaka, C. A. Ur, A. Zilges, Nuclear photonics: overview and perspectives, Eur. Phys. J. A 61, 27 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-025-01488-7 (Open Access)
15. Wang, J. B. Ohland, Y. Chang, V. Pandit, S. Bock, A. Okukura, U. Eisenbarth, A. Irman, M. Bussmann, U. Schramm, J. Kelling, Patch-MLP-Based Predictive Control: Simulation of Upstream Pointing Stabilization for PHELIX Laser System, Machine Learning: Science and Technology (IOP), 2025, under revision
16. C. Ionescu, C. C. Gheorghiu, V. Lupu, M.-I. Zai, A. Magureanu, D. B. Draghici, A. McCay, D. Molloy, H. Ahmed, M. Borghesi, D. Popa, M. O. Cernaianu, D. Doria, K. A. Tanaka, V. Leca, Highly ordered vertical nickel nanotubes and nanowires on thin substrate for high power lasers experiments, Discover Nano, 2025, under revision (Open Access)
17. Kuncser, C. Matei, T. Petruse, Target thickness and uniformity measurements using double sided silicon strip detectors, UPB Sci. Bull. Series A, 2025, accepted
18. A. Ur, D. Balabanski, M. Cernaianu, D. Doria, P. Ghenuche, A. Kusoglu, N. Safca, P.-A. Soderstrom, D. Stutman, Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics: First results, Eur. Phys. J. A 61, 248 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-025-01713-3 (Open Access)
Călin Alexandru UR, Project director
