FOTONIKA-LV

The FOTONIKA-LV project aims at unlocking and boosting R&D potential for photonics in Latvia. Direct beneficiary of the project – the Association FOTONIKA-LV comprised of three institutes of the University of Latvia - Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Astronomy, and Geodynamics and Geodezy. FOTONIKA-LV has about 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 28 with PhD degrees, 7 skilled technicians, 34 PhD candidates and MSc level students. Research interests span basic and applied sciences of photonics domain: optics, optoelectronics; in atmosphere and space; Earth geodesy; laser ranging and remote sensing; atomic and molecular physics; laser spectroscopy and plasma light sources; bio-photonics and medical physics. Objectives include: ◦Development of 10 existing strategic partnerships with leading centres in Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Spain; Exchanges of know-how through 50 secondments; ◦Helping to reverse the “brain drain” in to a “brain-gain” by recruiting and repatriating 14 researchers to FOTONIKA-LV. from U.S., Germany, Sweden, Finland, Israel, Russia, Bulgaria. ◦Organization of 3 large scale conferences in photonics, and summer schools in Riga; ◦Organization of 3 strategy technology foresight workshops on RTD policy in the photonics domain; ◦Organization of 1 large scale conference on sustainable development, knowledge society and future manufacturing; Upgrade of research infrastructure; ◦Establishing a public-access Riga Photonics Centre, to support transfer of knowledge and technology commercialization.