The 3rd International FOTONIKA-LV conference
“Achievements and Future Prospects” held in Riga (24-25 April 2019)
Conference proceedings of the 3rd International Conference FOTONIKA-LV “Achievements and Future Prospects” have been published. The proceedings can be downloaded here.
The 3rd International FOTONIKA-LV conference “Achievements and Future Prospects” held in Riga (24-25 April 2019) – is a biannual conference summarising following the project: FP7-REGPOT-2011-1, No 285912, FOTONIKA-LV “Unlocking and Boosting Research Potential for Photonics in Latvia – Towards Effective Integration in the European Research Area” (2012–2015). The Association of research institutes FOTONIKA-LV was formed on April 24, 2010. In early spring nine years ago, directors of three institutes signed an agreement unique in the history of Latvian science to create a framework where research communities with differing specialisations joined forces to undertake larger cross-disciplinary research projects under the umbrella of photonics – the driving technology of the 21st Century. FOTONIKA-LV received special notice in the report of international evaluators of Latvian science led by TECHNOPOLIS group 1
1 Latvia. Innovation System Review and Research Assessment Exercise: Final Report, TECHNOPOLIS, April 20, 2014: http://izm.gov.lv/images/zinatne/ZISI/Latvia-systems-review_2014.pdf: “In April 2010, three institutions of the University of Latvia (Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Astronomy and Geodesy and Geoinformatics) established the association FOTONIKA–LV with the aim to take responsibility for sustainable advancement of the sector of photonics in Latvia. The association submitted an ambitious FP7 project of basic and applied research in traditional and innovative fields of photonics: REGPOT–2011-1 which was eventually granted € 3.8 million. Other laboratories should follow this example”. Further, National Science Platform FOTONIKA-LV in quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies was established by the decree of the University of Latvia No. 1/215 on June 18, 2018.
This book of the 3rd FOTONIKA-LV conference is a collection of abstracts and articles highlighting research accomplishments and plans for future research activities and projects that will serve as a calling card for NSP FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia until the next FOTONIKA-LV conference in 2021.
The laboratories and observatories from the institutes forming NSP FOTONIKA-LV have been contributing to RTD in Latvia since the early 1960s, including:
• Quantum optics, laser spectroscopy, VUV, UV and visible light spectroscopy;
• Atomic, molecular and optical physics, molecular beam and ion beam physics; ICP plasma devices;
• Atmosphere physics and photochemistry; development of atmospheric remote sensing devices;
• Observational astronomy and astrophysics of galactic carbon stars, research on late evolution stars (MS, S type);
• Observation, and monitoring of small objects (asteroids) of the Solar System and Near Earth Objects with wide field
• Terrestrial geodesy and geodynamics measurements with the world class laser telescope LS-105 with which Latvian astronomers have served for decades as a node of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS code name RIGL-1884, Riga);
• Optical fibres technologies, in particular UV fibre optics;
• Vacuum-sputtering, quartz, glass and vacuum technologies.
June 2019
Dr. Arnolds Ūbelis
Scientific Secretary of the University of Latvia National Science Platform FOTONIKA-LV
Conference Scientific Committee
Dr. Arnolds Ūbelis – Chair
Dr. Aigars Atvars
Dr. Ilgmārs Eglītis
Dr. Jānis Alnis
Dr. Vladimirs Gostilo
Dr. Jorge del Pino
Vidvuds Beldavs
Dina Bērziņa – Head of the Conference Secretariat
Editors
Dina Bērziņa, Arnolds Ūbelis, Vidvuds Beldavs
Latvija un Latvijas Universitāte atkal kļūst par atpazītu spēlētāju kosmosa tehnoloģiju jomā Eiropas vienotā zinātnes telpā
Mazo uzņēmumu klubs, kuram LU Asociācija FOTONIKA-LV cenšas maksimāli kalpot un būt noderīga, atkal var lepoties ar nozīmīgu panākumu. Divi uzņēmumi (HEEPhotonic Ltd un Photonic Ltd), kuri strādā kosmosa tehnoloģiju jomā un kuri ir profesionāli saistīti ar FOTONIKA-LV Astronomijas institūtu ir saņēmuši Eiropas Komisijas izcilības sertifikātu, kuru ir parakstījuši Carlos Moedas un Corena Creatu attiecīgi ES Zinātnes un Inovāciju un ES Reģionālās politikas komisāri. Tam pamatā ir augstais vērtējums par abu uzņēmumu pēdējā programmas HORIZONTS 2020 (SME-2 SME instrument phase 2, ) konkursā iesniegtiem projektu pieteikumiem 4 M€ kopapjomā. Eiropas Komisija un tās divi komisāri viennozīmīgi apliecina, ka projektus ar šādu kvalitātes sertifikātu ES dalībvalstis var finansēt no Struktūrfondu naudas neprasot no iesniedzējiem nekādu papildus argumentāciju. Līdz ar šo panākumu, Latvija atkal kļūst par atpazītu spēlētāju kosmosa tehnoloģiju jomā Eiropas vienotā zinātnes telpā.
Minēto uzņēmumu pārstāvji kopā ar vēl 5 SMEs instrumenta konkursos panākumus guvušiem uzņēmumiem tika uzaicināti uz pieņemšanu pie LR Ekonomikas Ministra Arvila Ašerādena 2016.gada 4.augustā (https://www.em.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/10950-aseradens-programma-horizon-2020-paver-iespejas-mazu-uznemumu-biznesa-planus-parverst-globali-konkuretspejigos-produktos).
Asociācijas FOTONIKA-LV projektu „task force” kopā ar minētiem kosmosa jomas un vairākiem citiem uzņēmumiem šobrīd turpina strādāt pie 10 projektu pieteikumiem SMEs instrumenta konkursiem, uzlabojot jau esošos (atkārtotai iesniegšanai) un izstrādājot jaunus, viennozīmīgi, perspektīvus projektu pieteikumus. Vienlaicīgi tiek izvērtētās iespējas kopīgam startam citos HORIZONTS 2020 projektu konkursos. No FOTONIKA-LV puses tiek veikts filantropiski pašaizliedzīgs, bet resursos ierobežots darbs, lai eventuāli iegūtu investīcijas Latvijas inovāciju un zinātnes sistēmā vismaz 20 M€ apjomā no ES kopīgā budžeta. Šādi panākumi rosinās veiksmīgo mazo uzņēmumu apgrozījuma eksponenciālu izaugsmi ar perspektīvu pacelties virs ES mazo un vidējo uzņēmumu sliekšņa (vairāk kā 250 strādājošo un gada apgrozījums virs 50 M€) jau tuvākā desmitgadē. Ambīcijām pamatā, viennozīmīgi, ir neatkarīgu ES ekspertu argumentēts vērtējums un Eiropas Komisijas komisāru sertifikāts.
Ir svarīgi atkārtoti uzsvērt, ka minēto kosmosa jomas uzņēmumu, kā arī BSI Ltd un visa minētā FOTONIKA-LV kluba uzņēmumu panākumi balstās gadu desmitos krātā zinātniskās darbības pieredzē un aktīvā praksē astrofizikas, kosmosa zinātņu un tehnoloģiju, kvantu zinātņu un tehnoloģiju jomās Latvijas Universitātē un Latvijā (ieskaitot panākumu ar FOTONIKA-LV, FP7-REGPOT-2011-1 projekta Nr. 285912 ļoti sekmīgu izpildi). Šīs jomas vieno fotonika – viena no sešām Eiropas Savienībā akcentētām atslēgas tehnoloģijām.
Ir acīmredzami, ka Latvijas Universitātei ir laiks papildināt savu prioritāro zinātnes virzienu sarakstu un iestāties par šo jomu iekļaušanu viedo specializāciju grupā Latvijā. Vienlaicīgi viss faktu un argumentu kopums rāda, ka ir pamats šādai ambiciozai transregionālai viedai specializācijai trijās Baltijas valstīs.
Dr.Phys. Arnolds Ūbelis
FOTONIKA-LV zinātniskais sekretārs
Visit of the Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Feb 24, 2016 to Latvia
The Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CSU) visited Latvia on 24 February 2016. The purpose of the visit coordinated by the Space Technology and Science Group, Oy (STSG) is to explore opportunities for CSU collaboration with space research centers and SMEs involved in space technology development in Latvia, Poland and Finland.
The CSU delegation headed by Prof. Ming GAO, Director of CSU, Prof. Yidong GU, Prof. Tao ZHANG, Dr. Yang YANG (responsible for international relations) and Dr. Li XU (responsible for S&T Cooperation.
The delegation met with the leaders of Latvia’s space science and space technology as well as with representatives of Latvian SMEs involved in space technology development. The meeting took place in the University of Latvia Senate Chambers under the chairmanship Arnolds Ubelis and opened with remarks by LU Rector Indrikis Muiznieks. Presentations were made by researchers from LU’s FOTONIKA-LV research center:
̶ Kalvis Salmins, FOTONIKA-LV and Manager – Riga Laser Ranging Station, “History and development of laser ranging in Latvia”
̶ Janis Vjaters, Senior Scientist, HEE Photonic Labs Ltd, “Next Generation Satellite Laser Ranging Systems”
̶ Janis Kaminskis, FOTONIKA-LV and Senior Scientist, Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, “Geodesy in Latvia”
̶ Valdis Avotins,Prof. Ventspils University College and Director – Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center, “Radioastronomy in Latvia”
̶ Janis Alnis, FOTONIKA-LV and Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Chief- Quantum Optics Laboratory, “Quantum Optics Research In Latvia”
Subsequent to the meeting at LU the delegation toured Old Town Riga and had a working dinner with Finance Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola to discuss potential collaboration between Latvia and China in space. The Minister has a particularly strong interest in space having earned an Executive MBA from the International Space University.
CSU
CSU was established in 2011 to meet China’s strategic requirements to develop pioneering space utilization systems for the Chinese Space Station (CSS). The responsibilities of CSU include: strategic planning, system design and integration tests, development and operation of on-board and ground mission supporting system, engineering reliability and assurance, organizing and managing of the engineering process, management of result outlets in CSS and other major space utilization programs. Currently CSU with about 220 staff has attained all related capabilities in space utilization technologies. In the next 10 years, China will independently build a 60-ton space station which will run in orbit for 10 years. As China’s largest space science and utilization program, space station utilization is a strategic engineering promoting cutting-edge scientific exploration and leading the development of applied technology, currently in 31 topics of 8 fields including space science and applied life science and biotechnology, microgravity fluid physics and combustion science, space environment and space physics, space earth science, new technology of space utilization, space material science, basic research in microgravity, space astronomy and astrophysics. Utilization payloads will consist of dozens of space science experiment racks, major research facilities with international competitiveness and independent load used for specific space science research field. http://english.csu.cas.cn/
FOTONIKA -LV
The emerging national photonics research center of the University of Latvia was formed in 2010 as an association of the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, the Institute of Astronomy, and the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics. FOTONIKA-LV has won multiple research grants and its member institutes received high recognition in the rating by the respected Technopolis consultancy. FOTONIKA-LV with its member institutes is the leading space science and space technology research center in Latvia. FOTONIKA – LV has functioned as the cluster coordinator for the photonics cluster of research driven SMEs in Latvia. Recently, FOTONIKA-LV initiated the formation of the not-for-profit association Riga Photonics Centre to continue activities to advance the interests of all enterprises and research institutes in Latvia.
CONTACT
Vidvuds Beldavs
Chairman, Riga Photonics Centre
Phone – +371-278-62021
e-mail – vid.beldavs@rigaphotonicscentre.org
