European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy

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European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS)

The European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (LENS) is an interdisciplinary research center in Florence, Italy. It was established in 1991 by the Italian Ministry of Education and, with support from the University of Florence, started thanks to the efforts of Prof. Salvatore Califano. Its aim is to deepen collaboration among European researchers using laser light to study matter.

Mission
LENS focuses on three main goals:
- Promote scientific collaboration in linear and non-linear spectroscopy across Europe.
- Provide access to advanced equipment and expert guidance for researchers.
- Design and conduct research projects with universities and other institutions at national and international levels.

Structure
LENS has an international and interdisciplinary setup. A Directive Council, made up of experts from partner institutions, oversees science, administration, and finances. Members include the University of Florence, the Italian National Institute of Optics (CNR), the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Kaiserslautern University of Technology, and Pierre and Marie Curie University. Elisabetta Cerbai serves as the director, supported by a European Committee of university and research leaders.

Head office
Since 2001, LENS has been located at the Science and Technology Campus in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, after years on the Arcetri hill.

Scientific research
LENS began in atomic and molecular laser spectroscopy but has broadened over three decades to cover many fields. Its work now spans cold atoms (including Bose–Einstein condensates and Fermi gases), complex and disordered systems, photochemistry, biochemistry and biophysics, quantum biology, materials science, photonics and biophotonics, condensed matter physics, and the preservation of artistic heritage. Across these areas, the common approach is to use laser light to investigate matter. The center’s three main research lines are quantum science and technology, photonic materials, and biophotonics.

European Laserlab consortium
LENS is a member of Laserlab-Europe, a network that provides researchers with access to laser facilities across Europe through a Transnational Access program. It contributes to five Joint Research Activities, with ALADIN and OPTBIO being two key initiatives involving LENS.

Training
LENS runs a PhD program in cooperation with the University of Florence and other European universities, plus a Postdoctoral fellowship program. Both pathways receive support from EU programs such as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Erasmus Mundus.

Awards
In 2017, ANVUR, Italy’s national agency for evaluating universities and research, ranked LENS at the top among Italian small scientific centers for physics and chemistry.

External links
- European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy (lens.unifi.it)
- Laserlab-Europe (laserlab-europe.net)