Dr. Jonas Ohland, a prominent laser physicist at GSI/FAIR, is set to spearhead an innovative young investigator group called ALADIN, short for Adaptive Laser Architecture Development and INtegration, commencing June 1, 2025. This pivotal role comes with a significant endorsement in the form of €2.8 million in funding allocated over five years from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, part of the ambitious “Fusionstalente” program. The initiative intends to lay the groundwork for advanced, stable, and efficient lasers to support the burgeoning field of inertial confinement fusion.
Inertial fusion, a cutting-edge approach to harnessing nuclear energy, requires a controlled process that compresses and heats a minuscule fuel capsule at a rapid pace, ultimately initiating nuclear fusion. At the heart of this method lies the powerful application of laser beams, which are indispensable for achieving even compression and ignition of the fuel. However, to propel these powerful lasers into viable instruments for future power plants, solutions that can withstand intense heat and stress are paramount, particularly with their requirement for delivering high-energy pulses in rapid succession. This technological demand underscores the necessity for intelligent automation and scalable beam control systems integrated into larger infrastructures.
The ALADIN young investigator group seeks to fundamentally revolutionize the control mechanisms inherent in high-power lasers. The team advocates for an Adaptive Laser Architecture (ALA) that seamlessly integrates critical control elements into a smart support system. This intelligent setup aims to enhance beam guidance while significantly reducing the reliance on manual intervention. Through the implementation of ALA, it becomes feasible to achieve simultaneous control over hundreds of laser systems — an essential capability for the establishment of large-scale facilities dedicated to fusion energy.
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Dr. Ohland articulates his aspirations for the ALADIN project, emphasizing its potential to drive substantial advancements in laser beam control technology. The overarching objective is to create robust high-power laser solutions that are not only applicable to the realm of inertial fusion but can also bridge the existing gap between groundbreaking research and practical, real-world applications in this fast-evolving domain. The resonance of this work extends beyond fusion research, promising benefits for various other sectors where high-power lasers are utilized, including the laser manufacturing industry and large-scale scientific institutions.
Professor Vincent Bagnoud, who leads the Plasma Physics/PHELIX research department at GSI/FAIR, reinforces the relevance of the ALADIN initiative. He acknowledges the vast potential within this research, noting that improvements to their existing high-power laser system, PHELIX—a petawatt laser capable of integrating with particle accelerator ion beams—are likely to enhance their operational capabilities and thereby broaden research opportunities. The collaborative nature of this project carries implications that resonate throughout not only academic circles but also the industrial domain.
The funding application and the establishment of the ALADIN group underscore GSI/FAIR’s commitment to fostering this burgeoning scientific field. Professor Thomas Nilsson, Scientific Managing Director of GSI and FAIR, extends his congratulations to Dr. Ohland, singling out the endeavor as an embodiment of innovation and an illustration of the comprehensive support extended to the young researchers at the laboratory. Investment in training and nurturing the next wave of technologists and scientific thinkers is an imperative that GSI/FAIR emphasizes as critical for ongoing advancement in fusion research as well as for meeting future energy challenges at the international accelerator facility.
A significant facet of the ALADIN initiative is its collaborative efforts with Focused Energy GmbH, an emerging startup in the fusion energy sector based in Darmstadt. This partnership is designed to facilitate the development and distribution of ALA technology, ensuring that the innovations catalyzed by the ALADIN project are thoroughly integrated into long-term industrial applications. After the conclusion of the funding phase, an ALADIN Community Competence Group will be established under the auspices of GSI/FAIR with a focus on open research, capacity building, industrial collaboration, and educational outreach funded through third-party contributions and revenue generated from licenses and services.
Dr. Jonas Ohland is not new to groundbreaking laser research; he holds an impressive academic background, having studied at the Technical University of Darmstadt, where he obtained his PhD in 2022. His doctoral thesis was conducted at the acclaimed GSI/FAIR high-power laser setup, PHELIX. Following his PhD, he expanded his expertise as a postdoctoral researcher at the Apollon laser facility in Paris, collaborating within the THRILL project—an initiative orchestrated by GSI to pioneer new designs and seek high-performance components for high-energy laser setups with increased operational frequencies. His work at Apollon yielded significant advances in adaptive optics for intensive laser settings, laying the vital groundwork for the successful funding application of the ALADIN project.
The “Fusionstalente” initiative, which plays a pivotal role in support of the ALADIN group, aims to cultivate a new generation of talent within the fusion research landscape. Spearheaded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, this program empowers early-career researchers by providing tailored funding for their research groups, offering critical training opportunities, and granting access to advanced fusion research facilities. The broader goal of this program converges on nurturing the next generation of fusion scientists, thereby enhancing sustainable and innovative energy solutions across Germany and Europe. This initiative forms a crucial component of the overarching funding strategy labeled “Fusion 2040 – Research on the Way to the Fusion Power Plant,” designed to address the impending energy demands of the future with pioneering research.
In summary, the ALADIN project and the visionary work being led by Dr. Jonas Ohland herald a significant leap forward in the quest for practical, efficient, and robust laser systems that can address the complexities of inertial fusion. The integration of smart technology in laser architecture not only promises to fulfill the requirements necessary for cutting-edge energy production but also casts a wider net of benefits, potentially invigorating various scientific and industrial endeavors. The successful execution of this project could well emerge as a defining pivot toward revolutionizing the landscape of energy production, affirming the crucial role of innovative research and collaboration in overcoming modern challenges.
Subject of Research: Laser Physics and Inertial Fusion
Article Title: Pioneering Advances in Laser Technology: Dr. Jonas Ohland and the ALADIN Initiative
News Publication Date: TBD
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Image Credits: J. Hornung, GSI/FAIR
