SG2 Free Electron Lasers

The goals of the Strategy Group 2  are to support the LEAPS GA in its strategic work such as in the roadmap process and to consult the WGs on research needs and strategic aspects. The goals of SG2 are focused on the strategic development of IR to X-rays Free Electron Lasers.

SG2 operates in tight collaboration with the FELs of EUROPE (FOE) Consortium (https://www.fels-of-europe.eu/). The members of SG2 are both LEAPS facility staff, mainly selected among the members of the FELs of EUROPE Steering Committee, and LEAPS facilities users from EU MS/AC.

SG2 collaborates on common scientific topics with LEAPS SG1 on Synchrotrons.

• FELs contribution in Appendix of the LEAPS Strategy 2030 document.
• Contribution to LEAPS Position Paper on HE Missions.
• Feedback and inputs to the WGs on all topics defined by RDAB.
• Proposal to create a LEAPS Photon Diagnostics WG aiming at initiating joint activities between the FELs and SR sources in the areas of photon diagnostics and machine learning application focusing on the special requirements of non-invasive diagnostics tools.
• Since 2021 and in collaboration with FELs OF EUROPE, organization webinars on tutorial on FELs, science and scientific highlights at FELs, for students and young scientists.
• Contribution to the Position Paper on DIGITAL LEAPS.
• SG1 and SG2 joint proposal for the topics of the LEAPS 2023 and LEAPS 2025. Conference,s GA agreed on “LEAPS meets emerging Challenges in Life Science” and “LEAPS Meets Advanced Materials for Energy”, respectively.
• Participation in the organisation of the “LEAPS Meets Advanced Materials for Energy” conference.
• Involvement in the Program Committees of SCIENCE@FELs and “Forum on Advanced FEL Techniques” conferences in 2022, 2024, and 2026.
• Involvement in FOE Award Committees for SRI and all SCIENCE@FELs conferences.
• In collaboration with the FOE SC, preparation of a Scientific Highlights at FELs brochure
• Contribution to the HE INFRA-TECH-2024-01-01 LEAPS Project proposal.
• Contribution to the NFRA-2025-01-TECH-02 Project proposal.
• Contribution to the development of the rules and procedures for the LEAPS INCUBATOR process.
• Suggestions for topics of the LEAPS talk at “Quantum Café” event in 2026.
• Major contribution in preparing of the LEAPS Technology Roadmap.
• Submission of suggestions for strengthening the involvement of SG2 in the overall LEAPS landscape.

We continue working on some of the above listed topics and start additionally contributing in:

• Involvement in preparing documents for the “Block Grant” application.
• LEAPS “Project ideas portfolio” that is going to be used for future LEAPS related applications.
• Dissemination of LEAPS activities under the workforce and user community.
• Involvement in preparing the new LEAPS overall strategy document.