The THRILL project deals with providing new schemes and devices for pushing forward the limits of research infrastructures (RI) of European relevance and ESFRI landmarks. To do so, the project partners have identified several technical bottlenecks in high-energy high-repetition-rate laser technology that prevent it from reaching the technical readiness level required to technically specify and build the needed devices, and guaranteeing sustainable and reliable operation of such laser beamlines at the partnering RIs. Advancing the technical readiness of these topics is strategically aligned with the long-term plans and evolution of the ESFRI landmarks FAIR, ELI (-BL) and Eu-XFEL, and RI APOLLON, bringing them to the next level of development and strengthening their leading position. The project is well focused and it is deliberately restricted to three enabling technologies, which require the most urgent efforts and timely attention by the community: high-energy high-repetition-rate amplification, high-energy beam transport and optical coating resilience for large optics. To reach our goals, the major activity within THRILL will be organized around producing several prototypes demonstrating a high level of technical readiness. Our proposal is addressing not yet explored technical bottlenecks - such as transport over long distances of large-aperture laser beams via relay imaging using all-reflective optics - and aims at proposing concrete steps to increase the performances and effectiveness of the industrial community through the co-development of advanced technologies up to prototyping in operational environments. The project is not only pushing technology, it is also offering an outstanding opportunity to train a qualified work force for RIs and industry. With this in mind, the structure of THRILL promotes synergetic work, fast transfer to industry and integrated research activities at the European level. Access to the RIs will be granted as in-kind contribution.
This project is financed by EU.
