German-Dutch collaboration on high magnetic fields and free electron lasers

Thursday October 4, representatives of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the Radboud University (RU) and NWO-I signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the scientific and technological cooperation on high magnetic fields and free electron lasers.

The FELIX Laboratory and the High Field Magnetic Laboratory (HFML) in Nijmegen – jointly operated by the RU and NWO-I – form an international leading research infrastructure, where every year hundreds of scientists from all over the world come to do their experiments.

Just like HFML and FELIX at Radboud University, there is a high magnetic field laboratory (HLD) and an infrared free electron laser (FELBE) at HZDR in Dresden. In Nijmegen continuous high magnetic fields and pulsed infrared and THz light are generated, while Dresden is specialized in pulsed fields and continuous light. Both offer a unique combination of high magnetic fields and infrared free electron lasers. Van Krieken: ‘HFML- FELIX not only offers intense laser radiation and high magnetic fields, but also has technologically high-quality experimental set-ups. The close ties with the German Helmholtz Centre HZDR in Dresden are a recognition of the excellent infrastructure of the HFML-FELIX facility, that the Radboud University and FOM/NWO have built in the last years’.

Scientists from the labs have been working successfully together for many years. Researchers and technicians exchange the latest knowledge and the labs cooperate within European networks like FELs of Europe, LEAPS and EMFL, as the Scientific Director of HZDR, Roland Sauerbrey, emphasizes: ‘HZDR is glad to be closely connected to the state-of-the-art facility HFML-FELIX. We appreciate the close cooperation with the Radboud University and NWO-I’.

The parties have now signed for a prolongation and widening of their successful collaboration. ‘As a largescale research infrastructure we continuously push boundaries and face scientific and technological challenges along the way. Our strong collaboration helped us tackle these challenges in the past years and we are eager to continue this in the future’, say Christianen and Redlich.

Representatives of HZDR, RU and NWO present during the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. From left to right: Prof. Manfred Helm (HZDR, FELBE), Prof. Dr. Peter Christianen (HFML, Director), Dr. Ulrich Breuer (HZDR, Administrative Director), Dr. Christa Hooijer (NWO-I, Director), Dr. Britta Redlich (FELIX, Director), Prof. Dr. Han van Krieken (RU, Rector Magnificus), Prof. Dr. Roland Sauerbrey (HZDR, Scientific Director) and Prof. Dr. Jochen Wosnitza (HZDR, Director HLD).

More information:
Britta Redlich (Director FELIX Laboratory)
Peter Christianen (Director HFML)