LIBRA

Center of Excellence in Low-Energy Ion-Beam Research and Applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The project aims at unlocking and strengthening the research potential of the group of the Tandem Accelerator Laboratory of the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP group) of NCSR 'Demokritos', Athens, Greece. The action plan of the proposed project includes: a) Mobility of researchers to strengthen the existing trans-national collaborations, establish new ones and facilitate exchange of know-how and expertise, b) Recruitment of young highly-qualified researchers and technical personnel, c) Development and/or acquisition of advanced scientific tools, enabling an active participation of the group in research activities at EU level, d) Acquisition of state-of-the art instrumentation to increase its research capabilities of the laboratory, e) Upgrade of certain accelerator components to improve the group's response to the socio-economic needs of the country and the wider region, f) Organization of scientific events, g) Dissemination and promotional activities including establishment of a user's group. The research program to be realized include: 1.) The study of stellar nucleosynthesis, with emphasis on the so-called p process, 2) The experimental search for critical-point symmetries in nuclear structure, and 3) The development and implementation of novel analytical nuclear techniques related to cultural heritage, biomedicine and environmental control.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos' has a long tradition of research with applications ranging from medicine to security and energy. Its Tandem Accelerator Laboratory has been further strengthened and its visibility improved.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Hosted by the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the only heavy ion accelerator in Greece generates a beam of charged particles and accelerates them to one tenth the speed of light. These are used on samples to non-destructively test authenticity and the condition of historical artefacts. Besides analysing artworks, the concentrations of organic elements in soil samples and trace elements in human tissues are also estimated.

The EU-funded 'Center of excellence in low-energy ion-beam research and applications' (http://libra.inp.demokritos.gr/ (LIBRA)) project was initiated to unlock the full potential of the Tandem Accelerator Laboratory. Highly qualified young scientists were recruited. Furthermore, mobility of researchers was encouraged to facilitate the exchange of know-how and expertise with partner institutions.

To improve infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment was acquired to allow the laboratory to participate in large European research networks at the forefront of ion beam research. Equipment obtained includes an electrostatic nuclear accelerator for the analysis of nanomaterials. In addition, the existing infrastructure was upgraded to allow the implementation of new nuclear techniques for research in biomedicine and environmental monitoring.

Scientific events organised during the course of the LIBRA project contributed to the visibility of the Tandem Accelerator Laboratory's in the international scientific community. Among them was the 69th Meeting of the Nuclear Physics European Collaboration Committee (NuPECC) held on 8th and 9th of October 2010. NuPECC is an expert committee of the European Science Foundation (ESF) that plays a decisive role in the formation of science policy in Europe.

Through the LIBRA project, the laboratory reinforced its existing collaborations with leading research centres, such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Besides attracting scientists from abroad, increased research capacity led to the creation of new research centres in Greece to exploit its modern facilities.