Final Report Summary - FOTONIKA- LV (Unlocking and Boosting Research Potential for Photonics in Latvia <br/> – Towards Effective Integration in the European Research Area)
Executive Summary:
The project aimed at unlocking and boosting Latvian R&D potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU) with activities contributing to the realization of the full research potential on the national scale, for the enlarged Union and vision of Innovative Union 2020. The direct beneficiary of the project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia - Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Institute of Astronomy, and the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students. The outcomes of the project implementation resulted in transformation of Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University taking national leadership in quantum sciences, spaces sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the project resulted in following outcomes:
➢ 10 named in project proposal strategic partnerships with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1) were further activated via more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and project design. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to the industry in the domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Corporate assistance in writing of 10 project proposals designed for H2020 SMEs instrument was ensured.
➢ The project resulted with more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in various stages of preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;.
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ The project in partnership supported organization of 2 more conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator. 16 project proposals (12 coordinated) prepared for FP7 calls
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 8 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 project proposals are submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015;
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used opportunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
➢ The project succeeded substantially in reversing “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain”: 18 researchers were involved in repatriation and recruitment. University new leadership is making efforts to keep the majority of them with the university for coming years.
➢ The project resulted in impressive outcomes in strengthening the following research infrastructure objects including 2 large observatories, 3 advanced laboratories and many other experimental set-ups.
Project Context and Objectives:
The Project aimed at unlocking and boosting R&D&I potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU). Project activities had a national impact both in research potential as well on the larger society and the emerging high technology industry in Latvia also impacting the enlarged European Union through the numerous links and associations and project activities with partners across the ERA. The direct beneficiary of the Project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia:
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy;
Institute of Astronomy, and the
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics.
The 10 laboratories, departments and observatories of the member institutes (9 counted when project started and the laboratory of Quantum Optics opened during the implementation of the project) involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students.
Implementation of the Project has resulted in the transformation of the Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia taking national leadership in quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the Project resulted in outcomes listed under the following major topics identified below as A through H:
A) Results of collaboration, sharing of knowledge ands skills gained:
➢ Ten named in strategic partnerships for project proposal with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1). These initiative were further activated through more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and joint project design work. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to industry in the photonics domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Eight of which have received corporate project development support including assistance in the preparation of ten H2020 SME Instrument project proposals. Two projects have been financed and the others received marks above 12 from 15.. An additional six new SME project proposals are expected to be submitted by the end of 2015.
➢ Particularly noteworthy among many, a particularly noteworthy joint research achievements and synergy outcomes (resulting from the “critical mass” achieved by FOTONIKA-LV cross disciplinary teams) is the negative ion beam instrument GRIBA should be mentioned specifically. The Instrument was built via joint efforts of research teams from FOTONIKA-LV and Gothenburg University during secondment visits. Due to it’s specific design that permits mobility GRIBA is the first next generation instrument in ion beam technologies in the world (value per money more than 500 000 euro). Its significant advantage is that it can be shipped and emplaced at CERN, Fermilab, European Spallation Source or any of the major atomic physics instruments in the world.
B) Scientific productivity of the project was highlighted via publication in journals, conference reports, organized conferences, workshops and thesis:
➢ The project resulted in more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in various stages of preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;.
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs;
➢ 4 seminars on patenting and IP protection, an 8 week course on the TRIZ innovation methodology was developed and conducted, training on Math-lab, 85 coloquiums on research and science policy issues, and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ Besides Planned the Project supported the organization of two additional international conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending
C) Persistent efforts in new project design resulted as following:
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator. 16 project proposals (12 coordinated) prepared for FP7 calls (not retained for financing and now are pending for elaboration and resubmission to HORIZON 2020 calls or elsewhere);
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 10 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 more project proposals will be submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015.
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used oppurtunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
D) Applied research initiatives towards commercialization of outcomes:
Applied research activities during the implementation of the FOTONIKA-LV project resulted in active contacts with SMEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In addition to above mentioned project proposals for H-2020 calls by FOTONIKA-LV or is members institutes there are more than ten commercially oriented initiatives in various stages of technology readiness (TRL) - from prototypes to elaboration stages above 6-8. Unfortunately severely limited institutional funding from the national budget does not allow the authors and innovators further elaboration towards higher technology readiness levels or, to perform feasibility studies and relevant search for IPR efforts. That means weak capacity in applied research efforts discouraging the formation of spin-offs.
F) Contribution in reversing “brain drain” into the “brain gain” :
The project achieved a significant success in reversing Latvia’s “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain” that can be a model for other research institutes and for the Latvian government that has set a goal of doubling the number of researchers from 2013 levels by 2020. This is a critical problem for Latvia insofar as goals relating to smart specialization require significant expansion of research activities yet the number of researchers in Latvia actually declined from 2013 to 2014 and there is no sign of improvement on the way, other than initiatives such as this project. Project activities resulted in the recruitment and repatriation of18 researchers. The University has new leadership and the new Rector is making a strong effort to retain the majority of the staff that has been recruited.
G) Development and upgrade of research infrastructure:
➢ Project funds provided for the targeted purchase of large, or up to date equipment, instrumentation and components that enabled FOTONIKA-LV research laboratories to to keep leadership in five following fundamental research domains:
1) Experimental research of sophisticated phenomena in ion and molecular physics using advanced ion and molecular beam instrumentation;
2) Research in quantum optics domain;
3) UV and vacuum UV, spectroscopy targeting basic research on atomic and molecular physics;
4) Ground segment of space technologies and astrophysical research;
5) Geodesy and geomatics.
➢ The project resulted in significant strengthening of the following research infrastructure objects including two large observatories, three advanced laboratories and other experimental apparatus:
o Renovated and upgraded SLR station of Fundamental Geodynamical Observatory (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Prototype for new generation of SLR stations designed (value per money more than 1 M €);
o Renovated wide field Schmidt system type telescope of Astrophysical Observatory (value per money more than 13M) in Baldone (one of 10 largest in Europe, largest in Baltic region);
o Advanced Digital Zenith Camera (telescope) designed combining resources with structural funds project (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Negative ions beam laboratory for research on negative ions of astrophysical interest and clusters related atmosphere physics problems (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Upgraded Molecular beam laboratrory (value per money more than 500 000 €).
➢ Strong efforts were made and relevant resources used to restore previously lost basis for industrial oriented research including:
o Electron-beam and resistive evaporation of dielectric, semiconductor and metal using multilayer achromatic optical coating installation - VU-2M with simultaneous photometric layer testing (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o High quality small and cost effective clean room is build for sputtering experiments and for other technology needs; development of inductively coupled plasma technologies for basic and fundamental research;
o Capacity of optomechanical (as well as quarz-glass technologies) workshop restored for the needs of technologically complicated experiments.
H) The Public-access Riga Photonics Centre is opened, has run for outreach events in Latvia including Year of Light publicity in 2015 . The Center provides support to the SME community with exhibitions, conferences, training events, and consultations on H2020 calls. During the project outreach activities were held including science experience programs and activities for high school students (nearly 600 attended programs). Additionally, Photonics Day activities were conducted that included a startup entrepreneur’s meet up.
Project Results:
The Project aimed at unlocking and boosting R&D&I potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU). Project activities had a national impact both in research potential as well on the larger society and the emerging high technology industry in Latvia also impacting the enlarged European Union through the numerous links and associations and project activities with partners across the ERA. The direct beneficiary of the Project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 (www.FPOTONIKA-LV.eu by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia:
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, www.asi.lv ;
Institute of Astronomy, www.astr.lu.lv and the
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, www.lu.lv.
The 10 laboratories, departments and observatories of the member institutes (9 counted when project started and the laboratory of Quantum Optics opened during the implementation of the project) involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students.
Implementation of the Project has resulted in the transformation of the Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia taking national leadership in quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics. In particular enhancement of research and outreach activities covered basic and applied sciences of photonics domain: optics, optoelectronics; in atmosphere and space; Earth geodesy; laser ranging and remote sensing; atomic and molecular physics; laser spectroscopy and plasma light sources and bio-photonics. The outcomes of the project implementation resulted in transformation of association FOTONIKA-LV in to the National Research centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University taking national leadership in quantum sciences, spaces sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Moreover, NSC FOTONIKA-LV “de facto” being unique in Latvia and in the three Baltic states is promoting a bottom-up initiative to elevate pan-Baltic regional smart specialization in the domain Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Space Sciences and Related Technologies. All three countries has excellent research outcomes in the domain and a community of more than 60 research driven SMES in the sector with turnover in 2014 close to 150 M € with historical and forecast growth in the range of 15% annually.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the Project resulted in outcomes listed under the following major topics identified below as A through H:
A) Results of collaboration, sharing of knowledge ands skills gained:
➢ Ten named in strategic partnerships for project proposal with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1). These initiative were further activated through more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and joint project design work. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to industry in the photonics domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Eight of which have received corporate project development support including assistance in the preparation of ten H2020 SME Instrument project proposals. Two projects have been financed and the others received marks above 12 from 15.. An additional six new SME project proposals are expected to be submitted by the end of 2015.
➢ Particularly noteworthy among many joint research achievements and synergy outcomes (resulting from the “critical mass” achieved by FOTONIKA-LV cross disciplinary teams) is the negative ion beam instrument GRIBA should be mentioned specifically. The Instrument was built via joint efforts of research teams from FOTONIKA-LV and Gothenburg University during secondment visits. Due to it’s specific design that permits mobility GRIBA is the first next generation instrument in ion beam technologies in the world (value per money more than 500 000 euro). Its significant advantage is that it can be shipped and emplaced at CERN, Fermilab, European Spallation Source or any of the major atomic physics instruments in the world.
B) Publication in peer reviewed journals, conference reports, organization of conferences and workshops and thesis defended:
➢ The project resulted with more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;
➢ 4 seminars on patenting and IP protection, an 8 week course on the TRIZ innovation methodology was developed and conducted, training on Math-lab, 85 coloquiums on research and science policy issues, and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ Besides planned the Project supported the organization of two additional international conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending.
C) Persistent efforts in new project design resulted as following:
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator;
➢ 16 project proposals (14 in the role of coordinator) prepared for FP7 calls ( but not retained for financing will be further elaborated and resubmitted to HORIZON 2020 calls or elsewhere);
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 10 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 project proposals are submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015;
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used oppurtunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
The more important HORIZON 2020 project proposals from the total of 27 that have been prepared are:
➢ Financed project H-2020 INFRAIA-1-2014-2015 (Advanced Research Networks) "EUROPLANET 2020");
➢ Two proposals to H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA (one marked 4.5 from 5, but not financed and another one pending for evaluation);
➢ Tthree FET-OPEN project proposals submitted to H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA call with deadline September 29, 2015
➢ Two proposals to H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014, (marked 80 from 100 in the first submission, 88.5 as resubmitted proposal and now pending for the third resubmition ;
➢ Submitted project to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 TEAMING call in the role of coordinator, but not financed and will be submitted to the next call;
➢ Two projects submitted to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 ERA-Chairs, but not financed and will be resubmitted.
➢ The project proposal submitted to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 Teaming call having excellent mark “12” from 15 , not financed and will be resubmitted.
➢ The first in history of FOTONIKA –LV ERC Advanced grant proposal submitted to the deadline June 2015 and pending for evaluation.
In summary these activities resulted in systematization a lot of information for the resubmission or new project design.
7 excellent project proposals were submitted to the Latvian Science Council call with international per review evaluation for basic research activities. The lowest scores were 68 and 71, but the highest ones were 84, 80, 79 and 78 from 90 as maximum. Unfortunately success rate in this national competition was about 7% and proposals from FOTONIKA-LV teams failed to receive financing.
6 proposals were submitted to ERAF and ESF calls of EU Structural funds in Latvia and 4 were financed.
D) Applied research initiatives towards commercialization of outcomes:
Applied research activities during the implementation of the FOTONIKA-LV project resulted in active contacts with SMEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In addition to above mentioned project proposals for H-2020 calls by FOTONIKA-LV or is members institutes there are more than ten commercially oriented initiatives in various stages of technology readiness (TRL) - from prototypes to elaboration stages above 6-8. Unfortunately severely limited institutional funding from the national budget does not allow the authors and innovators further elaboration towards higher technology readiness levels or, to perform feasibility studies and relevant search for IPR efforts. That means weak capacity in applied research efforts discouraging the formation of spin-offs.
➢ This is a problem painful to Latvian science community and was highlighted by the TECHNOPOLIS expert team that was invited to perform an international evaluation of Latvian science where the reviewers highlighted the quality of the association FOTONIKA-LV as well as the quality of three associated institutes:
Latvia. Innovation System Review and Research Assessment Exercise: Final Report, TECHNOPOLIS, April 20, 2014, see page 22:
“Only 17% of research funding is institutional (ERAWATCH Country Report, 2011), making Latvia’s one of the most highly ‘contested’ systems in the world. While there is no clear international benchmark for what the proportion of institutional funding should be, there is some consensus that 50% is the minimal viable level. The Finnish Research and Innovation Council recently observed that the share of competitive funding in the university research system has recently approached that value and that to do any further would be dangerous
Low relative levels of institutional funding are normally argued to undermine continuity, the ability to invest in facilities and equipment and therefore ultimately quality. A degree of institutional funding stability is also a requirement in order to establish good links with industry. Without this, it is hard to be a credible research partner for the longer term”.
E) International evaluation of the institutes of Association FOTONIKA-LV and it’s institutes by TECHNOPOLIS expert group - Latvia: Research Assessment Exercise, Report Panel M: Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Technopolis January 2014 See text in page 75:
“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 €3.8million. Other laboratories should follow this example”.
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, see on page 29-31
Overall Score
Citation: “ The overall score of this laboratory (4) is justified by a very good level of basic and applied research, the initiative to federate three Laboratories in the association FOTONIKA-LV with the goal of a sustainable development of photonics in Latvia and the submission of an ambitious project to the FP7 call of proposals REGPOT and obtaining 3.8million LVL. In addition the institution has good links with the emerging industry, a large development potential and a dynamic management”.
Quality of research
Citation: “The basic research is well integrated into various applied research fields of multidisciplinary nature. The research in photonics is highly relevant at national and international level. The importance of the work span from national research areas including the development of devices for pollution control (Hg), and development of optical fibers; regional cooperation in EU funded projects as well as wider international level in areas spanning from theoretical background studies in laser pulse interactions”.
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute The Institute of Astronomy, see pages 25-28 in above referred report. Citations:
“The Institute of Astronomy performs research on stars and interstellar medium, microwave sources at Sun and asteroids in the Solar System. It updates and maintains General Catalogue of Galactic Carbon Stars. The Institute runs a satellite laser ranging system (SLR, which has been in substantial part designed on the site) and a permanent GPS station. SLR and GPS stations, working with high accuracy, are involved in international service, define the origin of the Latvian national geodetic coordinate system and tie it to international reference frames. The Institute provides design of small optical systems, and software support and construction of laser ranging equipment for its own use, and also for international collaborators....
.... The Institute shows a good level of scientific research, especially in the field of navigation which is an area important both for Latvia and the international community. It should increase its internal visibility by stronger use of its potential (good infrastructure and skilled scientists) for extending research portfolio to more up-to-date research topics. Current international exchange and activity in attracting national funds are not satisfactory. The REGPOT ‘FOTONIKA-LV project and Latvia’s accession to the European Space Agency create perspectives for further development of the Institute ....
... As already mentioned above, a very strong side of the Institute is its experimental base and especially skills in calculation and design of equipment for laser ranging systems, spectrographs and optical components for telescopes. In the past high precision instruments designed and constructed by scientists from the Institute were used for observatories in many countries. These traditional skills have been used recently in construction of scientific equipment for Germany, Japan and Finland..... “
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation see citation on page 33:
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation see citation on page 33:
Citation: “Both the quantity and the quality of the research, measured in term of the publication output, are insufficient, resulting in limited impact on the scientific discipline. The activities are largely focused on market oriented research projects and short-term contracts ....”
Quality of research
Citation: “The numbers of research staff and funds allocated are insufficient to perform research of interest to the international research community...”
Impact on the scientific discipline
Citation: “Although a group is small, it has experience that can be exploited by numerous research groups within the national and international research communities. Complementary knowledge available for earth observation studies as well as environmental studies in general should further be exploited. The involvement of the research group in networks has proven to be effective and useful (for example EUPOS). But because of the meager publication record and obscure publication fora, the Institute has not had any impact on the scientific discipline.”
F) Reversing “brain drain” into the “brain gain” :
The project achieved a significant success in reversing Latvia’s “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain” that can be a model for other research institutes and for the Latvian government that has set a goal of doubling the number of researchers from 2013 levels by 2020. This is a critical problem for Latvia insofar as goals relating to smart specialization require significant expansion of research activities yet the number of researchers in Latvia actually declined from 2013 to 2014 and there is no sign of improvement on the way, other than initiatives such as this project. Project activities resulted in the recruitment and repatriation of18 researchers. The University has new leadership and the new rector is making a strong effort to retain the majority of the staff that has been recruited.
➢ Dr.Hab. Uldis Berzinsch has been repatriated from Sweden to Latvia. He has excellent expertise in basic research and 10 years expertise in research labs in industry. His contribution in the design of mentioned above ion beam instrument GRIBA was substantial and two peer-review publication resulted from his research activities. Unfortunately illness prevented him to be active during the last year of the project;
➢ Dr.Aigars Ekers repatriated back to Latvia for the second time. He was the first M-C fellow from Latvia and in his first return founded the Laser Center at the University. He was pressed to leave Latvia for the second time during the crises years and was back for year February 1, 2012 to April -2014 and headed the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy. Now he is recruited by the Saudi Arabia. He accepted financially very favorable offer facing uncertainty for future and lack of re cognition of his contribution to the development of research activities and research infrastructure from the State Authorities, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and University administration. Facing such attitude his choice is reasonable - having family with four children and wife with Dr degree who was not able to find relevant employment position in Latvia
➢ Dr.Janis Alnis (having two M-C fellowship grants) was repatriated back from the Max Plank Institute of Quantum Optics in Munich where previously he was associated with the team of Nobel prize winner prof. Theodor Hänsch. Dr. Janis Alnis founded the Quantum Optics Laboratory at FOTONIKA-LV;
➢ High level technician Janis Blahins was repatriated back from Israel and his contribution to applied research initiatives are impressive;
➢ An additional four experienced researchers were repatriated: D. Phys. Ilja Fescenko, industrial researcher Dr. Phys Mikelis Svilans(P), planetary scientist Dr.Amara Graps and futurist Vidvuds Beldavs who initiated the International Lunar Decade initiative that is picking up increasing international support. 11 foreign researchers were recruited for the work in FOTONIKA-LV labs from Russia (1), Ukraine (2), Cuba(1), Bulgaria (2), South Africa(1), India (1) and Lithuania (3)
G) Development and upgrade of research infrastructure:
➢ instrumentation and components that enabled FOTONIKA-LV research laboratories to to keep leadership in five following fundamental research domains:
1) Experimental research of sophisticated phenomena in ion and molecular physics using advanced ion and molecular beam instrumentation;
2) Research in quantum optics domain;
3) UV and vacuum UV, spectroscopy targeting basic research on atomic and molecular physics;
4) Ground segment of space technologies and astrophysical research;
5) Geodesy and geomatics.
➢ The project resulted in significant strengthening of the following research infrastructure objects including two large observatories, three advanced laboratories and other experimental apparatus:
o Renovated and upgraded SLR station of Fundamental Geodynamical Observatory (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Prototype for new generation of SLR stations designed (value per money more than 1 M €);
o Renovated wide field Schmidt system type telescope of Astrophysical Observatory (value per money more than 13M) in Baldone (one of 10 largest in Europe, largest in Baltic region);
o Advanced Digital Zenith Camera (telescope) designed combining resources with structural funds project (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Negative ions beam laboratory for research on negative ions of astrophysical interest and clusters related atmosphere physics problems (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Upgraded Molecular beam laboratrory (value per money more than 500 000 €).
➢ Strong efforts were made and relevant resources used to restore previously lost basis for industrial oriented research including:
o Electron-beam and resistive evaporation of dielectric, semiconductor and metal using multilayer achromatic optical coating installation - VU-2M with simultaneous photometric layer testing (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o High quality small and cost effective clean room is build for sputtering experiments and for other technology needs; development of inductively coupled plasma technologies for basic and fundamental research;
o Capacity of optomechanical (as well as quarz-glass technologies) workshop restored for the needs of technologically complicated experiments.
H) The Public-access Riga Photonics Centre is opened, has run for outreach events in Latvia including Year of Light publicity in 2015 . The Center provides support to the SME community with exhibitions, conferences, training events, and consultations on H2020 calls. During the project outreach activities were held including science experience programs and activities for high school students (nearly 600 attended programs). Additionally, Photonics Day activities were conducted that included a startup entrepreneur’s meet up.
The extended version of this report having ANNEXES with figures and tables is located in attached file!
Potential Impact:
Among impresive list of activities related to the corporate mission of the project FP7-REGPOT-2011-1. FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912, project (Unlocking and Boosting Research Potential for Photonics in Latvia – Towards Effective Integration in the European Research Area.) two aspects are very important to potential future impact in wider societal context.
Firstly, in starting phase of the project very important and unique in approach conference was organized in fith month ofthe Project run. The 3rd International Conference on Integrative Approaches towards sustainability “Sustainable development, knowledge society and smart future manufacturing technologies ”KNOWLEDGE was held in June 27-30, 2012, in Jurmala, Latvia. It was the first remarkable world conference highlighting and contributing to the debate on sustainable development and the knowledge society issues simultaneously on high academic level. The Conference resulted in the eddition of the book: W. Leal Filho, Arnolds Ubelis, Dina Berzina. (eds.), Sustainable Development, Knowledge Society and Smart Future Manufacturing Technologies, World Sustainability Series, DOI 10.1007-978-3-319-14883-0_5 (http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319148823).
The essence was underlined by the authors of the preface of the book: ... “It is obvious that this development is of great significance in our efforts to approach a sustainable society. Still it is hard to find any publications, documents or policy papers where the two concepts – knowledge society and sustainable development – are linked and analyzed together. The present volume Sustainable Development, Knowledge Society and Smart Future Manufacturing Technologies is meant to break this silence and contribute to an analysis of the role of knowledge society to achieve sustainability. It is based on the conference with the same name organized in Jurmala Latvia, by the University of Latvia ....”,....
....” the title of the book highlights sustainable development, knowledge society, and smart future manufacturing technologies together and hopefully should serve as inspiration for further efforts. The content of the book is only a small and modest contribution to the interception between sustainable development and knowledge society. It is the last one in a series of three conferences books. The team of organizers for long had the dream to create a orum of “Sustainable development and knowledge society” in Riga and we are very happy that finally this dream came true....”
For future wider societal development it is more than important to estimate the role of Photonics - the science and technology of generating, controlling, and detecting photons. The relevance and significance of photonics has been precisely summarised by the Former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science and Innovation in the UK, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who said on 13 July 2006 in the context of UK Photonics Strategy:
“...the impact of photonics in the 21st century will be as significant as electronics was in the 20th, or steam in the 19th...“ .
The merits of this project is highlighting of photonics role and fostering it’s development in Latvia and Baltics simultaneously reminding about need to keep in mind interlinkage between technology progress based on achievements in photonics domain and sustainable development, knowledge society and future smart manufacturing.
The second important large scale socially wide aspect of the Project are efforts of the Project team devoted to step by step bottom-up and entrepreneurial discovery approach since 2012, when project started to built the case, that Research and Technological Development (RTD) combined with innovation in the domain of photonics as applied to quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies has the relevant capacity and prospect of growth to be accepted as a top tier national smart specialization.
Summary results of implementation of tasks related to WP4&5&6 in some way resulted and has been documented by the texts of letters (October 2014) to Prime Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and to Baltic Ministerial Council signed by the leading researchers of photonics community in Latvia. Copy was send to local authorities in Latvia like : Chair of Latvian Council of Science: President, Latvian Academy of Sciences; The Head of Saeima Committee on Education, Science and Culture. The letter to Prime Ministers was coppied also to: Director-General, the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation; Director General, the Directorate General (DG) for Regional and Urban Policy; Director General, EPIC - European Photonics Industry Consortium. The text of the letter to Prime ministers and technical Annex to this letter practically cited below describes wider societal impact of the FP7-REGPOT-2011-1. FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912, project and marks some kind of roadmap for relevant political decisions concerning RIS3 in Latvia and opportunity for pan-Baltic transregional smart specialization.
Dear Prime Minister:
Having a deep concern about future long-term sustainability of the economy and the welfare of the society in Latvia and relying on our corporate responsibility we are committed to searching for new opportunities for the development of Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Space Sciences and Related Technologies based on the concept of National Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). This concept, currently being developed in EU as a key instrument to implement the Europe 2020 - the EU’s growth strategy for the coming decade, will enable the EU and Latvia as a Member state to develop a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy in a changing world.
Your urgent attention and action is requested to address the issue of national RIS3 strategies and to support our bottom-up initiative to include the domain entitled “Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Spaces Sciences and Related Technologies” as a top tier priority in the list of national smart specializations in Latvia (and ultimately in the Baltics). This is warranted by the presence of a “high-tech” industry (SMEs community with up to 15% annual turnover growth ) that is competitive in the field in world market , as well as on-going basic science and applied research achievements that are recognized worldwide – essential elements to provide a stairway to excellence for the National RIS3 (see Informative report in Annex to this letter).
Through a step by step bottom-up and entrepreneurial discovery approach since 2012, we have built the case, that Research and Technological Development (RTD) combined with innovation in the domain of photonics as applied to quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies has the relevant capacity and prospect of growth to be accepted as a top tier national smart specialization. Photonics has been declared as one of six Key Enabling Technologies of the European Union. Photonics is the science and technology related to the control of photons - elementary particles, the quanta of light. Photonics encompasses several fields of science and technology in which Latvia has excelled, in particular in basic and applied research including quantum sciences, lasers, fiber optics, space sciences and related technologies.
Here are just a few of the outstanding examples: The first ERC grant was awarded to professor Andris Ambainis in 2013 in the area of quantum computing. Dr. Janis Alnis, who has already excelled as a former M-C fellow working for years in the group of Nobel prize winner Prof. Theodor Hansch at the Max-Plank Institute of Quantum Optics He was repatriated back to Latvia via human resource development plans and repatriation programme of FP7-REGPOT-2011-1, FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912 project to continue to develop advanced quantum and laser technologies for applications in diverse fields from applications in space technologies, to advancements in communications and metrology down to the manipulation of single atoms on the nanometer scale. In total Latvia participated in the implementation of 8-12 FP7 projects which has significalntly boosted the dynamic growth of research capacity of the Latvian research community in the domain during the last 7 years.
This has already been known within researcher community for years, as we have collected convincing facts about the excellent and promising capacities in Lithuania and Estonia, suggesting the basis for a pan-Baltic States smart specialization in the same domain. It is imperative for us to come together urgently and to discuss the issue on various levels, starting from a researchers’ forum and ending with decisions of the Baltic Council at the Ministerial level. It is urgently important now for the Baltic Council to add research and innovation in Photonics to its priorities in order to take the greatest advantage of the opportunities being offered to our countries through Horizon 2020 and to use Structural funds effectively targeted towards prosperity in the economy. Top level leadership is called for to effect this necessary change.
There are evident reasons why Latvia needs to take an urgent, smart and well targeted decision based on domains of excellence to escape from the current crisis and to avoid future ones which are predicted by some experts
̶ Latvia has not consistently chosen its priorities and may be late with the implementation of its National RIS3;
̶ There is statistically compelling documentation that Latvia seriously lags years in the ranking among EU Member states in regional competitiveness as well innovation indices (in most cases assuming the last position among Member States);
̶ Explanations of non favorable facts about Latvian RTD and Innovation system as documented by EUROSTAT are provided by the panels of TECHNOPOLIS in their report “ Latvia. Innovation System Review and Research Assessment Exercise, 2014.” The report criticizes the inconsistency of the National RTD and Innovation policy for being not aligned with the general EU RTD strategy and policies and provides serious warnings on potential spiraling down of the economy if nothing is changed, see ref.5 above.
Informative ANNEX
Why Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies should be national RIS3 for Latvia or regional Pan-Baltic for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Preamble.
FOTONIKA-LV, an Association of research institutes of the University of Latvia, has taken the lead to propose a bottom up definition of a RIS3 strategy that includes photonics. This is particularly important for fields of basic research in Latvia such as astrophysics, space sciences, quantum sciences, and related fields as well as to related technologies with the direct connection to manufacturing. The unique for photonics is that the methods, theories and technologies important to basic research frequently are applicable in industry on SMEs or even in large scale industry. Good example is ultra-precise measurement of time that permits ultra-precise measurement of speed and distance as well as of extremely small shifts in the frequency of light. Laser frequency comb techniques have been used to identify organic molecules in interstellar space and such technology is also important for the study of biological processes and may be a significant development in the control of space debris in orbit around the Earth. The linkage of methods and technologies across commercial and basic research that require strong education in physics and other photonics related disciplines builds the case for the related to photonics domains smart specialization that would enable Latvia to invest in basic research and through that to stimulate long term economic development.
Photonics, which is broadly the science and technology of the control of photons, frames domains critical to the future competiveness of the EU and plays a role in much of the advanced technology in many fields ranging across quantum sciences, quantum optics, space sciences, optoelectronics, medicine, agriculture, various technologies including very important for future space technologies and divers list of manufacturing. The EU Commission has also defined photonics as one of six Key Enabling Technologies that will receive priority consideration in financing due to the importance to EU industrial competitiveness. Photonics is a field where Latvia excels in research and where Latvia also has a significant business cluster with very promising growth prospects. Photonics, however, has not been included as a visible element of RIS3 strategies offered by the Latvian government to the Commission. The Commission has found the RIS3 strategy offered by Latvia as insufficiently focused and requested a more focused RIS3 proposal be developed by 2015. Approval by the Commission is anticipated by mid 2015. This impacts Horizon 2020 projects that reference the need for the proposed project to be covered by the RIS3 strategy.
The importance of a domain being defined as a national smart specialization is two-fold. First, a RIS3 strategy defines where the government will be placing emphasis in the development of infrastructure as well as in policy. Second, the Commission, emphasizing the importance of regions having RIS3 strategies as a more focused, effective and efficient development path, have specified ex ante conditionality for investments from Structural funds. Projects falling outside of the RIS3 strategy of the region or the member states like Latvia will be ineligible for Structural fund investment. In research this creates the further incentive insofar as Structural funds can leverage and be part of local matches for Horizon 2020 grants. Horizon 2020 grants are based-on EU-wide competitive awards, but in case of WIDENING calls for proposals require direct synergy with Structural funds. The possibility of using Structural funds as part of local matching funds, significantly expands the range of opportunities open to researchers in poorer economies such as Latvia. In case of Latvia world wide recognized achievements in basic and applied research in astrophysics, radio astronomy, other space sciences, geodynamics, quantum technologies and related to mentioned fields technologies form stairways to excellence for national RIS3.
Pan Baltic coverage. RIS3 strategies are defined within regions where Latvia is a NUTS1 region according the Commission nomenclature. While the three Baltic States together are not defined within the economic development regions of the Commission they collaborate closely on many issues and a case can be made for considering the Baltic States as an economic development region particularly for RIS3 driven by R&D especially in the domain of photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies where Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania excel, complementary strengths are present in each country and there is also significant manufacturing and services particularly in Latvia and Lithuania, see tables 2-4 below. Pan-Baltic photonics smart specialization would provide scale in infrastructure that is often critical in modern science and enable the region to more effectively build pan-Baltic competence. The ministries of Education and Science of the Baltic States have already initiative collaboration by developing an inventory of research infrastructure in the three countries available to researchers in all three countries. Latvia has significant research infrastructure in photonics its radio telescope complex in Ventspils as well as with the Baldone Astrophysical Observatory with one of more advanced (due to latest upgrades via Structural funds and FP7 REG-POT project FOTONIKA-LV) 1.2 meter diameter Schmidt telescopes in the EU. Additionally the Geodynamics Observatory in Riga ( Member and on duty for the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS ) was the first to detect the signal from Sputnik in 1957 and due to excellent shills of personnel under the leadership of the Observatory similar satellite Earth stations were established in 33 locations around the globe and many of them were designed and even produced in Riga. Latvia is also an EU level leader in quantum computing with the work of ERC grant winner Prof. Andris Ambainis. Lithuania’s very strong capabilities in quantum sciences laser technology have global recognition (Lithuania grown researchers succeeded withy two ERC grants in quantum technologies – Prof. Andrius Baltuska and Dr Aleksandr Ovsianikov. Now they are in Vienna University of Technology ) and Estonia has emerged as a recognized player in Cubesats and related space technologies. In recognition of these capabilities the International Conference on Collaboration in Space Technology was held in Riga in June, 2014 to address how our region can meet the needs of Africa for remote sensing, Earth resource scanning and numerous other applications.
Given that quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies in the frame of photonics were to be defined as part of the RIS3 of Latvia, then there would be increased opportunities for basic research as well as for investment in the innovation ecosystem to facilitate and accelerate commercialization of research results in Latvia.
The main arguments for definition of National RIS3 and needed blocks for the successful implementation of RIS3 are:
➢ Strong system of public research institutes and Universities providing stairways to excellence in disciplines framed by photonics. About 50% of research from Latvia from 2004-2013 was in domains framed by photonics;
➢ Strong and dynamically growing and competitive worldwide community of research driven SMEs;
➢ Existing or emerging strong and coherent cluster or system of clusters;
➢ Visibility on European Research Area and worldwide.
Latvia has emerging cluster in the area which already has real contacts in ERA and worldwide via partnerships in various FP& programme projects, see picture and Table 1 attached.
The main engine in driving the implementation of national smart specialization Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies will be the Association FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia which was founded in April 24, 2010 via bottom up initiative of forming institutes. FOTONIKA-LV includes the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy (ASI-LU), the Institute of Astronomy (AI-LU), and the Institute of Geodesy and Geodynamics (IGG-LU). The foundation of the research Association was specifically highlighted as a positive development in Latvian research system on January 2014 in the peer review report of international evaluators of science in Latvia led by the TECHNOPOLIS group. The Associations has achieved financing (3,8M€, 2012-2015) for it’s project in the highly competitive (success rate 7%) FP7-REGPOT-2011-1 call. In the overall process of consolidation of research capacity one more institute of the University of Latvia – the Institute of Chemical Physics also having excellent record and history in quantum sciences and nanotechnology research is joining the Association FOTONIKA-LV. All four institutes inside Association FOTONIKA-LV received excellent ranking in this report .
We have developed a vision to establish a center of photonics research in Latvia that by 2020 will be recognized throughout Europe and worldwide for excellence in science as well as driver of innovation and commercial development in Latvia and regionally across the Baltic States. The trans-university National Science Centre FOTONIKA –LV (NSC FOTONIKA-LV) is being formed under the umbrella of the University of Latvia in Riga with research units from two regional universities (Figure 1). The two research units are Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) of Ventspils University College located in Ventspils on the Baltic Sea and the G. Liberts Centre of Innovative Microscopy (IMC) of the University of Daugavpils in Eastern Latvia that are contributing high caliber research teams and with unique state-of-the art research infrastructure (including one of Europe’s larger radiotelescopes (32 m) in Irbene just outside Ventspils) These research units were highly ranked by TECHNOPOLIS panels in the referenced report.
NSC FOTONIKA-LV as an internationally significant research centre will contribute with it’s scientific performance to the development of a strong national system of research and innovation in Latvia. NSC FOTONIKA-LV will also coordinate the photonics innovation ecosystem driving new business development through technology commercialization as well as manufacturing process improvements that increase productivity and new product development by firms in the photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies cluster. This robust and rapidly growing cluster and the innovation ecosystem that sustains it will be the embodiment of the smart specialization strategy spanning basic research, applied research, innovation and commercial performance. The high level science that will be at the core of research capabilities will serve to attract top level researchers and superior students to choose the study of physics and other disciplines in Latvia thereby also improving education not only at the graduate level but also at the BA, MA and inspire excellence at the secondary and primary schools level as well. We also see the potential for photonics to become a smart specialization across all three Baltic States boosting science and innovation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a collaborating region.
Historical legacy
The inspiration of the NSC FOTONIKA-LV vision is deeply grounded in historical experience and the culture of the region. From the 13th to 17th centuries, Riga was a significant member and trading partner in the Hanseatic League of cities. During the last couple of centuries Riga boasted the reputation being a city of advanced technology within the Russian Empire and in the broader European context. At the beginning of the 20th century, when the Industrial Revolution was opening the door to electricity and numerous other technologies, Riga ranked high among the technologically advanced European cities with its factories producing trains, cars, planes, radios, and bicycles, and its ship-building and textile industries – industries that produced the wealth reflected in Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture which was the dominant style of architecture during the late 19th and early20th century in Riga more extensively represented in Riga, than any other European city.
The early seeds of photonics in Latvia can be traced back to late 1930’s, when the Minox, the smallest photo-camera of that time was invented and manufactured at the VEF –State Electrotechnical Factory in Riga . The tradition of optics was maintained throughout the 20th century, resulting in optical systems for space applications and fibre optics among several other technologies. Astronomy and optical technologies have been known in Riga for centuries but basic research in quantum sciences, space sciences and related space technologies started in the 1950’s. The in the dawning of laser era, reaching a maximum in scope and quality in the early 1990s and achievements were documented by the first ever peer review international evaluation of science in Latvia in 1991-1992 by the international panels formed by the Danish Academy of Sciences.
Today and for future the domain of Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies in Latvia will be driven by the national consortium NSC FOTONIKA-LV under the umbrella of three universities. For years institutions forming this consortium evolved separately as centres of science on their own, each having a strong component of photonics, quantum sciences or space technologies research. Now they are consolidated around a common goal to become the leading Baltic research centre competitive in European Research Area (ERA) in the fields of fundamental and applied photonics, ranging from space sciences and technologies to atmosphere and biosphere research, biomedical optics, and to micrometer and nanometer scale research including quantum sciences and quantum optics and applications of optical atomic clocks and laser frequency combs (femtosecond lasers) for ultra precise, measurements.
If the domains framed by photonics are included as part of the smart specialization strategy of Latvia the following would become possible or be strengthened in the 2014-2020 timeframe:
➢ Needed Structural fund investments in research infrastructure to build photonics R&D.
➢ Focused investment in innovation ecosystem capabilities to enable more effective, efficient and accelerated technology transfer to industry and technology commercialization.
➢ Needed recruitment and repatriation of researchers to Latvia
➢ Expansion and improvement of education and training capabilities in Latvia to serve both research and production and commercial needs relating to photonics.
➢ Significantly increased potential for Horizon 2020, ESA and other funding for research due to the ability to leverage structural funds as local matching investment.
➢ Significantly increased potential for basic research in photonics domains where Latvia has outstanding potential including quantum sciences and technology as well as space sciences and technologies.
The inherent growth rate of the photonics, quantum science and space technology cluster is about 15% reflecting overall growth of the global market in the segments where Latvia is competitive. Given that the domain framed by photonics including quantum sciences and space science and related technologies is defined as a smart specialization and the needed focused investments are made, then we are confident that cluster growth of 30% or more is achievable through new business formation, attraction of foreign direct investment and joint ventures with international partners as well as productivity improvements in manufacturing and in new product development.
Outlook
Two scenarios need to be addressed.
➢ Business as usual. Photonics research and photonics related business development in Latvia continue as they have with modest support for research sufficient for a small number of researchers to continue to excel, but without significant investment in related infrastructure and without focus on business development support for photonics as a smart specialization. Continued lack of support for ESA.
➢ Photonics smart specialization. Needed investment in research infrastructure is made and parallel focused investments are made to drive innovation, technology commercialization and to attract researchers and related technology investment to Latvia. Latvia becomes a successful contributor to ESA.
Business as usual
➢ The record of Horizon 2020 success roughly matches earlier success as a result of dedicated effort of scientists in the field. No ESA grants. Possibly other ERC grants in addition to Ambainis, but uncertain.
➢ Few researchers are recruited due to the poor environment for science in Latvia constraining prospects for research, education and business development posing a danger to the future as the present generation retires.
➢ Baseline growth expectation – 15%, which is consistent with overall growth in photonics industries in Europe. By 2020 this would yield turnover of 199 million EUR with employment estimated at about 2000.
Photonics smart specialization.
➢ Funding from Horizon 2020 triples. Several ESA projects funded. Several (5) ERC grants as more researchers find Latvia an attractive place to do their work.
➢ More than 100 researchers are recruited from outside of Latvia
➢ 10 new business startups from technology and inventors attracted to Latvia with the Commercialization Reactor process.
➢ Strong prospects for joint ventures and investment in Latvia from major photonics firms
➢ Smart specialization growth expectation – more than 30% per annum. Outlook by 2020 – more than 400 million EUR annual photonics cluster revenue employing more than 4,000
In summary
Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies is a regional smart specialization of Latvia “de facto” because the existence of following building blocks for that:
➢ About 40% of Latvia’s research output since 2004 when it joined the EU relates to photonics themes as measured by publication in indexed journals;
➢ Nearly 700 of Latvia’s approximately 5,-000 researchers work in photonics, quantum science , space sciences and related fields of applied sciences and technologies ;
➢ Over 12 institutes and laboratories in Latvia are involved in R&I in fields Of those institutes 3 received a high rating (4) from the referenced already before TECHNOPOLIS assessment of Latvian research and innovation. Only 15 RTD units received such high ranking in the country ;
➢ There is ”de facto” functioning photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies cluster in Latvia with 30 SMEs with turnover in 2013 at 70 million EUR representing an 18% growth rate over 2012 and over 12 research units contributing to national research budget with 19 EU FP6&7 projects and total funding 8.4M€. In addition 7M€ were attracted via EU structural funds projects . Relevant research community is united thanks to small size of the country, corporate responsibility and patriotic mission to get Latvia on the knowledge economy track despite the existing unfavorable environment for RTD and Innovation development now;
➢ Photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related applied sciences and technologies research possess a remarkable share in financial terms of FP6 and FP7 projects and in the list of other research projects (i.e. Structural funds) conducted in Latvia since 2004;
➢ Photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related applied sciences and technologies research has been a leading specialization in Latvia for 60 years.
Unfortunatelly up - now there are no adequate response to the initiatives of the Project, but the team is continuously sustaining these RIS3 Pan- Baltic initiative strengthening mutual cooperation.
List of Websites:
WWW.LU.LV/FOTONIKA-LV www.FOTONIKA-LV.eu
The project aimed at unlocking and boosting Latvian R&D potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU) with activities contributing to the realization of the full research potential on the national scale, for the enlarged Union and vision of Innovative Union 2020. The direct beneficiary of the project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia - Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, Institute of Astronomy, and the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students. The outcomes of the project implementation resulted in transformation of Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University taking national leadership in quantum sciences, spaces sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the project resulted in following outcomes:
➢ 10 named in project proposal strategic partnerships with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1) were further activated via more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and project design. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to the industry in the domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Corporate assistance in writing of 10 project proposals designed for H2020 SMEs instrument was ensured.
➢ The project resulted with more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in various stages of preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;.
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ The project in partnership supported organization of 2 more conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator. 16 project proposals (12 coordinated) prepared for FP7 calls
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 8 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 project proposals are submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015;
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used opportunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
➢ The project succeeded substantially in reversing “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain”: 18 researchers were involved in repatriation and recruitment. University new leadership is making efforts to keep the majority of them with the university for coming years.
➢ The project resulted in impressive outcomes in strengthening the following research infrastructure objects including 2 large observatories, 3 advanced laboratories and many other experimental set-ups.
Project Context and Objectives:
The Project aimed at unlocking and boosting R&D&I potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU). Project activities had a national impact both in research potential as well on the larger society and the emerging high technology industry in Latvia also impacting the enlarged European Union through the numerous links and associations and project activities with partners across the ERA. The direct beneficiary of the Project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia:
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy;
Institute of Astronomy, and the
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics.
The 10 laboratories, departments and observatories of the member institutes (9 counted when project started and the laboratory of Quantum Optics opened during the implementation of the project) involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students.
Implementation of the Project has resulted in the transformation of the Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia taking national leadership in quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the Project resulted in outcomes listed under the following major topics identified below as A through H:
A) Results of collaboration, sharing of knowledge ands skills gained:
➢ Ten named in strategic partnerships for project proposal with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1). These initiative were further activated through more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and joint project design work. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to industry in the photonics domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Eight of which have received corporate project development support including assistance in the preparation of ten H2020 SME Instrument project proposals. Two projects have been financed and the others received marks above 12 from 15.. An additional six new SME project proposals are expected to be submitted by the end of 2015.
➢ Particularly noteworthy among many, a particularly noteworthy joint research achievements and synergy outcomes (resulting from the “critical mass” achieved by FOTONIKA-LV cross disciplinary teams) is the negative ion beam instrument GRIBA should be mentioned specifically. The Instrument was built via joint efforts of research teams from FOTONIKA-LV and Gothenburg University during secondment visits. Due to it’s specific design that permits mobility GRIBA is the first next generation instrument in ion beam technologies in the world (value per money more than 500 000 euro). Its significant advantage is that it can be shipped and emplaced at CERN, Fermilab, European Spallation Source or any of the major atomic physics instruments in the world.
B) Scientific productivity of the project was highlighted via publication in journals, conference reports, organized conferences, workshops and thesis:
➢ The project resulted in more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in various stages of preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;.
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs;
➢ 4 seminars on patenting and IP protection, an 8 week course on the TRIZ innovation methodology was developed and conducted, training on Math-lab, 85 coloquiums on research and science policy issues, and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ Besides Planned the Project supported the organization of two additional international conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending
C) Persistent efforts in new project design resulted as following:
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator. 16 project proposals (12 coordinated) prepared for FP7 calls (not retained for financing and now are pending for elaboration and resubmission to HORIZON 2020 calls or elsewhere);
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 10 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 more project proposals will be submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015.
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used oppurtunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
D) Applied research initiatives towards commercialization of outcomes:
Applied research activities during the implementation of the FOTONIKA-LV project resulted in active contacts with SMEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In addition to above mentioned project proposals for H-2020 calls by FOTONIKA-LV or is members institutes there are more than ten commercially oriented initiatives in various stages of technology readiness (TRL) - from prototypes to elaboration stages above 6-8. Unfortunately severely limited institutional funding from the national budget does not allow the authors and innovators further elaboration towards higher technology readiness levels or, to perform feasibility studies and relevant search for IPR efforts. That means weak capacity in applied research efforts discouraging the formation of spin-offs.
F) Contribution in reversing “brain drain” into the “brain gain” :
The project achieved a significant success in reversing Latvia’s “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain” that can be a model for other research institutes and for the Latvian government that has set a goal of doubling the number of researchers from 2013 levels by 2020. This is a critical problem for Latvia insofar as goals relating to smart specialization require significant expansion of research activities yet the number of researchers in Latvia actually declined from 2013 to 2014 and there is no sign of improvement on the way, other than initiatives such as this project. Project activities resulted in the recruitment and repatriation of18 researchers. The University has new leadership and the new Rector is making a strong effort to retain the majority of the staff that has been recruited.
G) Development and upgrade of research infrastructure:
➢ Project funds provided for the targeted purchase of large, or up to date equipment, instrumentation and components that enabled FOTONIKA-LV research laboratories to to keep leadership in five following fundamental research domains:
1) Experimental research of sophisticated phenomena in ion and molecular physics using advanced ion and molecular beam instrumentation;
2) Research in quantum optics domain;
3) UV and vacuum UV, spectroscopy targeting basic research on atomic and molecular physics;
4) Ground segment of space technologies and astrophysical research;
5) Geodesy and geomatics.
➢ The project resulted in significant strengthening of the following research infrastructure objects including two large observatories, three advanced laboratories and other experimental apparatus:
o Renovated and upgraded SLR station of Fundamental Geodynamical Observatory (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Prototype for new generation of SLR stations designed (value per money more than 1 M €);
o Renovated wide field Schmidt system type telescope of Astrophysical Observatory (value per money more than 13M) in Baldone (one of 10 largest in Europe, largest in Baltic region);
o Advanced Digital Zenith Camera (telescope) designed combining resources with structural funds project (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Negative ions beam laboratory for research on negative ions of astrophysical interest and clusters related atmosphere physics problems (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Upgraded Molecular beam laboratrory (value per money more than 500 000 €).
➢ Strong efforts were made and relevant resources used to restore previously lost basis for industrial oriented research including:
o Electron-beam and resistive evaporation of dielectric, semiconductor and metal using multilayer achromatic optical coating installation - VU-2M with simultaneous photometric layer testing (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o High quality small and cost effective clean room is build for sputtering experiments and for other technology needs; development of inductively coupled plasma technologies for basic and fundamental research;
o Capacity of optomechanical (as well as quarz-glass technologies) workshop restored for the needs of technologically complicated experiments.
H) The Public-access Riga Photonics Centre is opened, has run for outreach events in Latvia including Year of Light publicity in 2015 . The Center provides support to the SME community with exhibitions, conferences, training events, and consultations on H2020 calls. During the project outreach activities were held including science experience programs and activities for high school students (nearly 600 attended programs). Additionally, Photonics Day activities were conducted that included a startup entrepreneur’s meet up.
Project Results:
The Project aimed at unlocking and boosting R&D&I potential for photonics at the University of Latvia (LU). Project activities had a national impact both in research potential as well on the larger society and the emerging high technology industry in Latvia also impacting the enlarged European Union through the numerous links and associations and project activities with partners across the ERA. The direct beneficiary of the Project is the Association FOTONIKA-LV formed in April 24, 2010 (www.FPOTONIKA-LV.eu by a bottom up initiative of three well recognized institutes of the University of Latvia:
Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, www.asi.lv ;
Institute of Astronomy, www.astr.lu.lv and the
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, www.lu.lv.
The 10 laboratories, departments and observatories of the member institutes (9 counted when project started and the laboratory of Quantum Optics opened during the implementation of the project) involve more than 100 researchers: including 4 Professors, 45 with PhD degrees, more than 10 skilled technicians, more than 30 PhD candidates and MSc level students.
Implementation of the Project has resulted in the transformation of the Association FOTONIKA-LV into the emerging National Science Centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia taking national leadership in quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics. In particular enhancement of research and outreach activities covered basic and applied sciences of photonics domain: optics, optoelectronics; in atmosphere and space; Earth geodesy; laser ranging and remote sensing; atomic and molecular physics; laser spectroscopy and plasma light sources and bio-photonics. The outcomes of the project implementation resulted in transformation of association FOTONIKA-LV in to the National Research centre FOTONIKA-LV at the University taking national leadership in quantum sciences, spaces sciences and related technologies under the framework of photonics.
Moreover, NSC FOTONIKA-LV “de facto” being unique in Latvia and in the three Baltic states is promoting a bottom-up initiative to elevate pan-Baltic regional smart specialization in the domain Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Space Sciences and Related Technologies. All three countries has excellent research outcomes in the domain and a community of more than 60 research driven SMES in the sector with turnover in 2014 close to 150 M € with historical and forecast growth in the range of 15% annually.
Objectives reached and tasks implemented during the Project resulted in outcomes listed under the following major topics identified below as A through H:
A) Results of collaboration, sharing of knowledge ands skills gained:
➢ Ten named in strategic partnerships for project proposal with leading research centers in Finland (1), Sweden (3), Germany (4), Spain (1), Lithuania (1). These initiative were further activated through more than 50 secondment visits, joint research efforts and joint project design work. In addition 23 more partnerships were intensified via secondments and FP7 IRSES projects with partners in Germany (3), Austria (3), France (2), Sweden (1), Poland (1), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Russia (4) Ukraine (3), Belarus (2) ; Australia (1), Canada (1);
➢ Special attention was devoted to collaboration and assistance to industry in the photonics domain. More than 20 research-driven SMEs are in cooperation with FOTONIKA-LV. Eight of which have received corporate project development support including assistance in the preparation of ten H2020 SME Instrument project proposals. Two projects have been financed and the others received marks above 12 from 15.. An additional six new SME project proposals are expected to be submitted by the end of 2015.
➢ Particularly noteworthy among many joint research achievements and synergy outcomes (resulting from the “critical mass” achieved by FOTONIKA-LV cross disciplinary teams) is the negative ion beam instrument GRIBA should be mentioned specifically. The Instrument was built via joint efforts of research teams from FOTONIKA-LV and Gothenburg University during secondment visits. Due to it’s specific design that permits mobility GRIBA is the first next generation instrument in ion beam technologies in the world (value per money more than 500 000 euro). Its significant advantage is that it can be shipped and emplaced at CERN, Fermilab, European Spallation Source or any of the major atomic physics instruments in the world.
B) Publication in peer reviewed journals, conference reports, organization of conferences and workshops and thesis defended:
➢ The project resulted with more than 100 publications in peer review journals and more than 20 articles in preparation;
➢ The project supported publication of 5 books;
➢ During the course of the project four large scale conferences, two summers schools and 2 exhibitions for SMEs;
➢ The project financed participation in 33 conferences but in total research community of FOTONIKA-LV presented research results in more than 75 international conferences with more than 110 oral or poster presentations among them many published in conference thesis booklets, conference books or in conference proceedings ;
➢ 4 seminars on patenting and IP protection, an 8 week course on the TRIZ innovation methodology was developed and conducted, training on Math-lab, 85 coloquiums on research and science policy issues, and one strategy planning foresight workshop were organized;
➢ Besides planned the Project supported the organization of two additional international conferences;
➢ 10 PhD theses were defended and several more are pending.
C) Persistent efforts in new project design resulted as following:
➢ Five project proposals prepared for FP7 calls were retained for financing and in two of them FOTONIKA-LV is a coordinator;
➢ 16 project proposals (14 in the role of coordinator) prepared for FP7 calls ( but not retained for financing will be further elaborated and resubmitted to HORIZON 2020 calls or elsewhere);
➢ Partnership in 27 project proposals for H2020 (among them 10 coordinated) 2 project proposals were retained for financing, others are pending for resubmisition. 6 project proposals are submitted to H2020 calls by the end of September 2015;
➢ In total the research team of FOTONIKA-LV used oppurtunities to apply to 12 various sources of research funding.
The more important HORIZON 2020 project proposals from the total of 27 that have been prepared are:
➢ Financed project H-2020 INFRAIA-1-2014-2015 (Advanced Research Networks) "EUROPLANET 2020");
➢ Two proposals to H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA (one marked 4.5 from 5, but not financed and another one pending for evaluation);
➢ Tthree FET-OPEN project proposals submitted to H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA call with deadline September 29, 2015
➢ Two proposals to H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014, (marked 80 from 100 in the first submission, 88.5 as resubmitted proposal and now pending for the third resubmition ;
➢ Submitted project to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 TEAMING call in the role of coordinator, but not financed and will be submitted to the next call;
➢ Two projects submitted to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 ERA-Chairs, but not financed and will be resubmitted.
➢ The project proposal submitted to WIDESPREAD 2014–1 Teaming call having excellent mark “12” from 15 , not financed and will be resubmitted.
➢ The first in history of FOTONIKA –LV ERC Advanced grant proposal submitted to the deadline June 2015 and pending for evaluation.
In summary these activities resulted in systematization a lot of information for the resubmission or new project design.
7 excellent project proposals were submitted to the Latvian Science Council call with international per review evaluation for basic research activities. The lowest scores were 68 and 71, but the highest ones were 84, 80, 79 and 78 from 90 as maximum. Unfortunately success rate in this national competition was about 7% and proposals from FOTONIKA-LV teams failed to receive financing.
6 proposals were submitted to ERAF and ESF calls of EU Structural funds in Latvia and 4 were financed.
D) Applied research initiatives towards commercialization of outcomes:
Applied research activities during the implementation of the FOTONIKA-LV project resulted in active contacts with SMEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In addition to above mentioned project proposals for H-2020 calls by FOTONIKA-LV or is members institutes there are more than ten commercially oriented initiatives in various stages of technology readiness (TRL) - from prototypes to elaboration stages above 6-8. Unfortunately severely limited institutional funding from the national budget does not allow the authors and innovators further elaboration towards higher technology readiness levels or, to perform feasibility studies and relevant search for IPR efforts. That means weak capacity in applied research efforts discouraging the formation of spin-offs.
➢ This is a problem painful to Latvian science community and was highlighted by the TECHNOPOLIS expert team that was invited to perform an international evaluation of Latvian science where the reviewers highlighted the quality of the association FOTONIKA-LV as well as the quality of three associated institutes:
Latvia. Innovation System Review and Research Assessment Exercise: Final Report, TECHNOPOLIS, April 20, 2014, see page 22:
“Only 17% of research funding is institutional (ERAWATCH Country Report, 2011), making Latvia’s one of the most highly ‘contested’ systems in the world. While there is no clear international benchmark for what the proportion of institutional funding should be, there is some consensus that 50% is the minimal viable level. The Finnish Research and Innovation Council recently observed that the share of competitive funding in the university research system has recently approached that value and that to do any further would be dangerous
Low relative levels of institutional funding are normally argued to undermine continuity, the ability to invest in facilities and equipment and therefore ultimately quality. A degree of institutional funding stability is also a requirement in order to establish good links with industry. Without this, it is hard to be a credible research partner for the longer term”.
E) International evaluation of the institutes of Association FOTONIKA-LV and it’s institutes by TECHNOPOLIS expert group - Latvia: Research Assessment Exercise, Report Panel M: Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Technopolis January 2014 See text in page 75:
“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 €3.8million. Other laboratories should follow this example”.
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, see on page 29-31
Overall Score
Citation: “ The overall score of this laboratory (4) is justified by a very good level of basic and applied research, the initiative to federate three Laboratories in the association FOTONIKA-LV with the goal of a sustainable development of photonics in Latvia and the submission of an ambitious project to the FP7 call of proposals REGPOT and obtaining 3.8million LVL. In addition the institution has good links with the emerging industry, a large development potential and a dynamic management”.
Quality of research
Citation: “The basic research is well integrated into various applied research fields of multidisciplinary nature. The research in photonics is highly relevant at national and international level. The importance of the work span from national research areas including the development of devices for pollution control (Hg), and development of optical fibers; regional cooperation in EU funded projects as well as wider international level in areas spanning from theoretical background studies in laser pulse interactions”.
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute The Institute of Astronomy, see pages 25-28 in above referred report. Citations:
“The Institute of Astronomy performs research on stars and interstellar medium, microwave sources at Sun and asteroids in the Solar System. It updates and maintains General Catalogue of Galactic Carbon Stars. The Institute runs a satellite laser ranging system (SLR, which has been in substantial part designed on the site) and a permanent GPS station. SLR and GPS stations, working with high accuracy, are involved in international service, define the origin of the Latvian national geodetic coordinate system and tie it to international reference frames. The Institute provides design of small optical systems, and software support and construction of laser ranging equipment for its own use, and also for international collaborators....
.... The Institute shows a good level of scientific research, especially in the field of navigation which is an area important both for Latvia and the international community. It should increase its internal visibility by stronger use of its potential (good infrastructure and skilled scientists) for extending research portfolio to more up-to-date research topics. Current international exchange and activity in attracting national funds are not satisfactory. The REGPOT ‘FOTONIKA-LV project and Latvia’s accession to the European Space Agency create perspectives for further development of the Institute ....
... As already mentioned above, a very strong side of the Institute is its experimental base and especially skills in calculation and design of equipment for laser ranging systems, spectrographs and optical components for telescopes. In the past high precision instruments designed and constructed by scientists from the Institute were used for observatories in many countries. These traditional skills have been used recently in construction of scientific equipment for Germany, Japan and Finland..... “
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation see citation on page 33:
TECHNOPOLIS experts view on the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation see citation on page 33:
Citation: “Both the quantity and the quality of the research, measured in term of the publication output, are insufficient, resulting in limited impact on the scientific discipline. The activities are largely focused on market oriented research projects and short-term contracts ....”
Quality of research
Citation: “The numbers of research staff and funds allocated are insufficient to perform research of interest to the international research community...”
Impact on the scientific discipline
Citation: “Although a group is small, it has experience that can be exploited by numerous research groups within the national and international research communities. Complementary knowledge available for earth observation studies as well as environmental studies in general should further be exploited. The involvement of the research group in networks has proven to be effective and useful (for example EUPOS). But because of the meager publication record and obscure publication fora, the Institute has not had any impact on the scientific discipline.”
F) Reversing “brain drain” into the “brain gain” :
The project achieved a significant success in reversing Latvia’s “brain drain” in to the “brain-gain” that can be a model for other research institutes and for the Latvian government that has set a goal of doubling the number of researchers from 2013 levels by 2020. This is a critical problem for Latvia insofar as goals relating to smart specialization require significant expansion of research activities yet the number of researchers in Latvia actually declined from 2013 to 2014 and there is no sign of improvement on the way, other than initiatives such as this project. Project activities resulted in the recruitment and repatriation of18 researchers. The University has new leadership and the new rector is making a strong effort to retain the majority of the staff that has been recruited.
➢ Dr.Hab. Uldis Berzinsch has been repatriated from Sweden to Latvia. He has excellent expertise in basic research and 10 years expertise in research labs in industry. His contribution in the design of mentioned above ion beam instrument GRIBA was substantial and two peer-review publication resulted from his research activities. Unfortunately illness prevented him to be active during the last year of the project;
➢ Dr.Aigars Ekers repatriated back to Latvia for the second time. He was the first M-C fellow from Latvia and in his first return founded the Laser Center at the University. He was pressed to leave Latvia for the second time during the crises years and was back for year February 1, 2012 to April -2014 and headed the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy. Now he is recruited by the Saudi Arabia. He accepted financially very favorable offer facing uncertainty for future and lack of re cognition of his contribution to the development of research activities and research infrastructure from the State Authorities, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and University administration. Facing such attitude his choice is reasonable - having family with four children and wife with Dr degree who was not able to find relevant employment position in Latvia
➢ Dr.Janis Alnis (having two M-C fellowship grants) was repatriated back from the Max Plank Institute of Quantum Optics in Munich where previously he was associated with the team of Nobel prize winner prof. Theodor Hänsch. Dr. Janis Alnis founded the Quantum Optics Laboratory at FOTONIKA-LV;
➢ High level technician Janis Blahins was repatriated back from Israel and his contribution to applied research initiatives are impressive;
➢ An additional four experienced researchers were repatriated: D. Phys. Ilja Fescenko, industrial researcher Dr. Phys Mikelis Svilans(P), planetary scientist Dr.Amara Graps and futurist Vidvuds Beldavs who initiated the International Lunar Decade initiative that is picking up increasing international support. 11 foreign researchers were recruited for the work in FOTONIKA-LV labs from Russia (1), Ukraine (2), Cuba(1), Bulgaria (2), South Africa(1), India (1) and Lithuania (3)
G) Development and upgrade of research infrastructure:
➢ instrumentation and components that enabled FOTONIKA-LV research laboratories to to keep leadership in five following fundamental research domains:
1) Experimental research of sophisticated phenomena in ion and molecular physics using advanced ion and molecular beam instrumentation;
2) Research in quantum optics domain;
3) UV and vacuum UV, spectroscopy targeting basic research on atomic and molecular physics;
4) Ground segment of space technologies and astrophysical research;
5) Geodesy and geomatics.
➢ The project resulted in significant strengthening of the following research infrastructure objects including two large observatories, three advanced laboratories and other experimental apparatus:
o Renovated and upgraded SLR station of Fundamental Geodynamical Observatory (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Prototype for new generation of SLR stations designed (value per money more than 1 M €);
o Renovated wide field Schmidt system type telescope of Astrophysical Observatory (value per money more than 13M) in Baldone (one of 10 largest in Europe, largest in Baltic region);
o Advanced Digital Zenith Camera (telescope) designed combining resources with structural funds project (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Negative ions beam laboratory for research on negative ions of astrophysical interest and clusters related atmosphere physics problems (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o Upgraded Molecular beam laboratrory (value per money more than 500 000 €).
➢ Strong efforts were made and relevant resources used to restore previously lost basis for industrial oriented research including:
o Electron-beam and resistive evaporation of dielectric, semiconductor and metal using multilayer achromatic optical coating installation - VU-2M with simultaneous photometric layer testing (value per money more than 500 000 €);
o High quality small and cost effective clean room is build for sputtering experiments and for other technology needs; development of inductively coupled plasma technologies for basic and fundamental research;
o Capacity of optomechanical (as well as quarz-glass technologies) workshop restored for the needs of technologically complicated experiments.
H) The Public-access Riga Photonics Centre is opened, has run for outreach events in Latvia including Year of Light publicity in 2015 . The Center provides support to the SME community with exhibitions, conferences, training events, and consultations on H2020 calls. During the project outreach activities were held including science experience programs and activities for high school students (nearly 600 attended programs). Additionally, Photonics Day activities were conducted that included a startup entrepreneur’s meet up.
The extended version of this report having ANNEXES with figures and tables is located in attached file!
Potential Impact:
Among impresive list of activities related to the corporate mission of the project FP7-REGPOT-2011-1. FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912, project (Unlocking and Boosting Research Potential for Photonics in Latvia – Towards Effective Integration in the European Research Area.) two aspects are very important to potential future impact in wider societal context.
Firstly, in starting phase of the project very important and unique in approach conference was organized in fith month ofthe Project run. The 3rd International Conference on Integrative Approaches towards sustainability “Sustainable development, knowledge society and smart future manufacturing technologies ”KNOWLEDGE was held in June 27-30, 2012, in Jurmala, Latvia. It was the first remarkable world conference highlighting and contributing to the debate on sustainable development and the knowledge society issues simultaneously on high academic level. The Conference resulted in the eddition of the book: W. Leal Filho, Arnolds Ubelis, Dina Berzina. (eds.), Sustainable Development, Knowledge Society and Smart Future Manufacturing Technologies, World Sustainability Series, DOI 10.1007-978-3-319-14883-0_5 (http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319148823).
The essence was underlined by the authors of the preface of the book: ... “It is obvious that this development is of great significance in our efforts to approach a sustainable society. Still it is hard to find any publications, documents or policy papers where the two concepts – knowledge society and sustainable development – are linked and analyzed together. The present volume Sustainable Development, Knowledge Society and Smart Future Manufacturing Technologies is meant to break this silence and contribute to an analysis of the role of knowledge society to achieve sustainability. It is based on the conference with the same name organized in Jurmala Latvia, by the University of Latvia ....”,....
....” the title of the book highlights sustainable development, knowledge society, and smart future manufacturing technologies together and hopefully should serve as inspiration for further efforts. The content of the book is only a small and modest contribution to the interception between sustainable development and knowledge society. It is the last one in a series of three conferences books. The team of organizers for long had the dream to create a orum of “Sustainable development and knowledge society” in Riga and we are very happy that finally this dream came true....”
For future wider societal development it is more than important to estimate the role of Photonics - the science and technology of generating, controlling, and detecting photons. The relevance and significance of photonics has been precisely summarised by the Former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Science and Innovation in the UK, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who said on 13 July 2006 in the context of UK Photonics Strategy:
“...the impact of photonics in the 21st century will be as significant as electronics was in the 20th, or steam in the 19th...“ .
The merits of this project is highlighting of photonics role and fostering it’s development in Latvia and Baltics simultaneously reminding about need to keep in mind interlinkage between technology progress based on achievements in photonics domain and sustainable development, knowledge society and future smart manufacturing.
The second important large scale socially wide aspect of the Project are efforts of the Project team devoted to step by step bottom-up and entrepreneurial discovery approach since 2012, when project started to built the case, that Research and Technological Development (RTD) combined with innovation in the domain of photonics as applied to quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies has the relevant capacity and prospect of growth to be accepted as a top tier national smart specialization.
Summary results of implementation of tasks related to WP4&5&6 in some way resulted and has been documented by the texts of letters (October 2014) to Prime Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and to Baltic Ministerial Council signed by the leading researchers of photonics community in Latvia. Copy was send to local authorities in Latvia like : Chair of Latvian Council of Science: President, Latvian Academy of Sciences; The Head of Saeima Committee on Education, Science and Culture. The letter to Prime Ministers was coppied also to: Director-General, the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation; Director General, the Directorate General (DG) for Regional and Urban Policy; Director General, EPIC - European Photonics Industry Consortium. The text of the letter to Prime ministers and technical Annex to this letter practically cited below describes wider societal impact of the FP7-REGPOT-2011-1. FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912, project and marks some kind of roadmap for relevant political decisions concerning RIS3 in Latvia and opportunity for pan-Baltic transregional smart specialization.
Dear Prime Minister:
Having a deep concern about future long-term sustainability of the economy and the welfare of the society in Latvia and relying on our corporate responsibility we are committed to searching for new opportunities for the development of Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Space Sciences and Related Technologies based on the concept of National Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). This concept, currently being developed in EU as a key instrument to implement the Europe 2020 - the EU’s growth strategy for the coming decade, will enable the EU and Latvia as a Member state to develop a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy in a changing world.
Your urgent attention and action is requested to address the issue of national RIS3 strategies and to support our bottom-up initiative to include the domain entitled “Photonics, Quantum Sciences, Spaces Sciences and Related Technologies” as a top tier priority in the list of national smart specializations in Latvia (and ultimately in the Baltics). This is warranted by the presence of a “high-tech” industry (SMEs community with up to 15% annual turnover growth ) that is competitive in the field in world market , as well as on-going basic science and applied research achievements that are recognized worldwide – essential elements to provide a stairway to excellence for the National RIS3 (see Informative report in Annex to this letter).
Through a step by step bottom-up and entrepreneurial discovery approach since 2012, we have built the case, that Research and Technological Development (RTD) combined with innovation in the domain of photonics as applied to quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies has the relevant capacity and prospect of growth to be accepted as a top tier national smart specialization. Photonics has been declared as one of six Key Enabling Technologies of the European Union. Photonics is the science and technology related to the control of photons - elementary particles, the quanta of light. Photonics encompasses several fields of science and technology in which Latvia has excelled, in particular in basic and applied research including quantum sciences, lasers, fiber optics, space sciences and related technologies.
Here are just a few of the outstanding examples: The first ERC grant was awarded to professor Andris Ambainis in 2013 in the area of quantum computing. Dr. Janis Alnis, who has already excelled as a former M-C fellow working for years in the group of Nobel prize winner Prof. Theodor Hansch at the Max-Plank Institute of Quantum Optics He was repatriated back to Latvia via human resource development plans and repatriation programme of FP7-REGPOT-2011-1, FOTONIKA-LV, reg. Nr. 285912 project to continue to develop advanced quantum and laser technologies for applications in diverse fields from applications in space technologies, to advancements in communications and metrology down to the manipulation of single atoms on the nanometer scale. In total Latvia participated in the implementation of 8-12 FP7 projects which has significalntly boosted the dynamic growth of research capacity of the Latvian research community in the domain during the last 7 years.
This has already been known within researcher community for years, as we have collected convincing facts about the excellent and promising capacities in Lithuania and Estonia, suggesting the basis for a pan-Baltic States smart specialization in the same domain. It is imperative for us to come together urgently and to discuss the issue on various levels, starting from a researchers’ forum and ending with decisions of the Baltic Council at the Ministerial level. It is urgently important now for the Baltic Council to add research and innovation in Photonics to its priorities in order to take the greatest advantage of the opportunities being offered to our countries through Horizon 2020 and to use Structural funds effectively targeted towards prosperity in the economy. Top level leadership is called for to effect this necessary change.
There are evident reasons why Latvia needs to take an urgent, smart and well targeted decision based on domains of excellence to escape from the current crisis and to avoid future ones which are predicted by some experts
̶ Latvia has not consistently chosen its priorities and may be late with the implementation of its National RIS3;
̶ There is statistically compelling documentation that Latvia seriously lags years in the ranking among EU Member states in regional competitiveness as well innovation indices (in most cases assuming the last position among Member States);
̶ Explanations of non favorable facts about Latvian RTD and Innovation system as documented by EUROSTAT are provided by the panels of TECHNOPOLIS in their report “ Latvia. Innovation System Review and Research Assessment Exercise, 2014.” The report criticizes the inconsistency of the National RTD and Innovation policy for being not aligned with the general EU RTD strategy and policies and provides serious warnings on potential spiraling down of the economy if nothing is changed, see ref.5 above.
Informative ANNEX
Why Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies should be national RIS3 for Latvia or regional Pan-Baltic for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Preamble.
FOTONIKA-LV, an Association of research institutes of the University of Latvia, has taken the lead to propose a bottom up definition of a RIS3 strategy that includes photonics. This is particularly important for fields of basic research in Latvia such as astrophysics, space sciences, quantum sciences, and related fields as well as to related technologies with the direct connection to manufacturing. The unique for photonics is that the methods, theories and technologies important to basic research frequently are applicable in industry on SMEs or even in large scale industry. Good example is ultra-precise measurement of time that permits ultra-precise measurement of speed and distance as well as of extremely small shifts in the frequency of light. Laser frequency comb techniques have been used to identify organic molecules in interstellar space and such technology is also important for the study of biological processes and may be a significant development in the control of space debris in orbit around the Earth. The linkage of methods and technologies across commercial and basic research that require strong education in physics and other photonics related disciplines builds the case for the related to photonics domains smart specialization that would enable Latvia to invest in basic research and through that to stimulate long term economic development.
Photonics, which is broadly the science and technology of the control of photons, frames domains critical to the future competiveness of the EU and plays a role in much of the advanced technology in many fields ranging across quantum sciences, quantum optics, space sciences, optoelectronics, medicine, agriculture, various technologies including very important for future space technologies and divers list of manufacturing. The EU Commission has also defined photonics as one of six Key Enabling Technologies that will receive priority consideration in financing due to the importance to EU industrial competitiveness. Photonics is a field where Latvia excels in research and where Latvia also has a significant business cluster with very promising growth prospects. Photonics, however, has not been included as a visible element of RIS3 strategies offered by the Latvian government to the Commission. The Commission has found the RIS3 strategy offered by Latvia as insufficiently focused and requested a more focused RIS3 proposal be developed by 2015. Approval by the Commission is anticipated by mid 2015. This impacts Horizon 2020 projects that reference the need for the proposed project to be covered by the RIS3 strategy.
The importance of a domain being defined as a national smart specialization is two-fold. First, a RIS3 strategy defines where the government will be placing emphasis in the development of infrastructure as well as in policy. Second, the Commission, emphasizing the importance of regions having RIS3 strategies as a more focused, effective and efficient development path, have specified ex ante conditionality for investments from Structural funds. Projects falling outside of the RIS3 strategy of the region or the member states like Latvia will be ineligible for Structural fund investment. In research this creates the further incentive insofar as Structural funds can leverage and be part of local matches for Horizon 2020 grants. Horizon 2020 grants are based-on EU-wide competitive awards, but in case of WIDENING calls for proposals require direct synergy with Structural funds. The possibility of using Structural funds as part of local matching funds, significantly expands the range of opportunities open to researchers in poorer economies such as Latvia. In case of Latvia world wide recognized achievements in basic and applied research in astrophysics, radio astronomy, other space sciences, geodynamics, quantum technologies and related to mentioned fields technologies form stairways to excellence for national RIS3.
Pan Baltic coverage. RIS3 strategies are defined within regions where Latvia is a NUTS1 region according the Commission nomenclature. While the three Baltic States together are not defined within the economic development regions of the Commission they collaborate closely on many issues and a case can be made for considering the Baltic States as an economic development region particularly for RIS3 driven by R&D especially in the domain of photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies where Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania excel, complementary strengths are present in each country and there is also significant manufacturing and services particularly in Latvia and Lithuania, see tables 2-4 below. Pan-Baltic photonics smart specialization would provide scale in infrastructure that is often critical in modern science and enable the region to more effectively build pan-Baltic competence. The ministries of Education and Science of the Baltic States have already initiative collaboration by developing an inventory of research infrastructure in the three countries available to researchers in all three countries. Latvia has significant research infrastructure in photonics its radio telescope complex in Ventspils as well as with the Baldone Astrophysical Observatory with one of more advanced (due to latest upgrades via Structural funds and FP7 REG-POT project FOTONIKA-LV) 1.2 meter diameter Schmidt telescopes in the EU. Additionally the Geodynamics Observatory in Riga ( Member and on duty for the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS ) was the first to detect the signal from Sputnik in 1957 and due to excellent shills of personnel under the leadership of the Observatory similar satellite Earth stations were established in 33 locations around the globe and many of them were designed and even produced in Riga. Latvia is also an EU level leader in quantum computing with the work of ERC grant winner Prof. Andris Ambainis. Lithuania’s very strong capabilities in quantum sciences laser technology have global recognition (Lithuania grown researchers succeeded withy two ERC grants in quantum technologies – Prof. Andrius Baltuska and Dr Aleksandr Ovsianikov. Now they are in Vienna University of Technology ) and Estonia has emerged as a recognized player in Cubesats and related space technologies. In recognition of these capabilities the International Conference on Collaboration in Space Technology was held in Riga in June, 2014 to address how our region can meet the needs of Africa for remote sensing, Earth resource scanning and numerous other applications.
Given that quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies in the frame of photonics were to be defined as part of the RIS3 of Latvia, then there would be increased opportunities for basic research as well as for investment in the innovation ecosystem to facilitate and accelerate commercialization of research results in Latvia.
The main arguments for definition of National RIS3 and needed blocks for the successful implementation of RIS3 are:
➢ Strong system of public research institutes and Universities providing stairways to excellence in disciplines framed by photonics. About 50% of research from Latvia from 2004-2013 was in domains framed by photonics;
➢ Strong and dynamically growing and competitive worldwide community of research driven SMEs;
➢ Existing or emerging strong and coherent cluster or system of clusters;
➢ Visibility on European Research Area and worldwide.
Latvia has emerging cluster in the area which already has real contacts in ERA and worldwide via partnerships in various FP& programme projects, see picture and Table 1 attached.
The main engine in driving the implementation of national smart specialization Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies will be the Association FOTONIKA-LV at the University of Latvia which was founded in April 24, 2010 via bottom up initiative of forming institutes. FOTONIKA-LV includes the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy (ASI-LU), the Institute of Astronomy (AI-LU), and the Institute of Geodesy and Geodynamics (IGG-LU). The foundation of the research Association was specifically highlighted as a positive development in Latvian research system on January 2014 in the peer review report of international evaluators of science in Latvia led by the TECHNOPOLIS group. The Associations has achieved financing (3,8M€, 2012-2015) for it’s project in the highly competitive (success rate 7%) FP7-REGPOT-2011-1 call. In the overall process of consolidation of research capacity one more institute of the University of Latvia – the Institute of Chemical Physics also having excellent record and history in quantum sciences and nanotechnology research is joining the Association FOTONIKA-LV. All four institutes inside Association FOTONIKA-LV received excellent ranking in this report .
We have developed a vision to establish a center of photonics research in Latvia that by 2020 will be recognized throughout Europe and worldwide for excellence in science as well as driver of innovation and commercial development in Latvia and regionally across the Baltic States. The trans-university National Science Centre FOTONIKA –LV (NSC FOTONIKA-LV) is being formed under the umbrella of the University of Latvia in Riga with research units from two regional universities (Figure 1). The two research units are Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) of Ventspils University College located in Ventspils on the Baltic Sea and the G. Liberts Centre of Innovative Microscopy (IMC) of the University of Daugavpils in Eastern Latvia that are contributing high caliber research teams and with unique state-of-the art research infrastructure (including one of Europe’s larger radiotelescopes (32 m) in Irbene just outside Ventspils) These research units were highly ranked by TECHNOPOLIS panels in the referenced report.
NSC FOTONIKA-LV as an internationally significant research centre will contribute with it’s scientific performance to the development of a strong national system of research and innovation in Latvia. NSC FOTONIKA-LV will also coordinate the photonics innovation ecosystem driving new business development through technology commercialization as well as manufacturing process improvements that increase productivity and new product development by firms in the photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies cluster. This robust and rapidly growing cluster and the innovation ecosystem that sustains it will be the embodiment of the smart specialization strategy spanning basic research, applied research, innovation and commercial performance. The high level science that will be at the core of research capabilities will serve to attract top level researchers and superior students to choose the study of physics and other disciplines in Latvia thereby also improving education not only at the graduate level but also at the BA, MA and inspire excellence at the secondary and primary schools level as well. We also see the potential for photonics to become a smart specialization across all three Baltic States boosting science and innovation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a collaborating region.
Historical legacy
The inspiration of the NSC FOTONIKA-LV vision is deeply grounded in historical experience and the culture of the region. From the 13th to 17th centuries, Riga was a significant member and trading partner in the Hanseatic League of cities. During the last couple of centuries Riga boasted the reputation being a city of advanced technology within the Russian Empire and in the broader European context. At the beginning of the 20th century, when the Industrial Revolution was opening the door to electricity and numerous other technologies, Riga ranked high among the technologically advanced European cities with its factories producing trains, cars, planes, radios, and bicycles, and its ship-building and textile industries – industries that produced the wealth reflected in Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture which was the dominant style of architecture during the late 19th and early20th century in Riga more extensively represented in Riga, than any other European city.
The early seeds of photonics in Latvia can be traced back to late 1930’s, when the Minox, the smallest photo-camera of that time was invented and manufactured at the VEF –State Electrotechnical Factory in Riga . The tradition of optics was maintained throughout the 20th century, resulting in optical systems for space applications and fibre optics among several other technologies. Astronomy and optical technologies have been known in Riga for centuries but basic research in quantum sciences, space sciences and related space technologies started in the 1950’s. The in the dawning of laser era, reaching a maximum in scope and quality in the early 1990s and achievements were documented by the first ever peer review international evaluation of science in Latvia in 1991-1992 by the international panels formed by the Danish Academy of Sciences.
Today and for future the domain of Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies in Latvia will be driven by the national consortium NSC FOTONIKA-LV under the umbrella of three universities. For years institutions forming this consortium evolved separately as centres of science on their own, each having a strong component of photonics, quantum sciences or space technologies research. Now they are consolidated around a common goal to become the leading Baltic research centre competitive in European Research Area (ERA) in the fields of fundamental and applied photonics, ranging from space sciences and technologies to atmosphere and biosphere research, biomedical optics, and to micrometer and nanometer scale research including quantum sciences and quantum optics and applications of optical atomic clocks and laser frequency combs (femtosecond lasers) for ultra precise, measurements.
If the domains framed by photonics are included as part of the smart specialization strategy of Latvia the following would become possible or be strengthened in the 2014-2020 timeframe:
➢ Needed Structural fund investments in research infrastructure to build photonics R&D.
➢ Focused investment in innovation ecosystem capabilities to enable more effective, efficient and accelerated technology transfer to industry and technology commercialization.
➢ Needed recruitment and repatriation of researchers to Latvia
➢ Expansion and improvement of education and training capabilities in Latvia to serve both research and production and commercial needs relating to photonics.
➢ Significantly increased potential for Horizon 2020, ESA and other funding for research due to the ability to leverage structural funds as local matching investment.
➢ Significantly increased potential for basic research in photonics domains where Latvia has outstanding potential including quantum sciences and technology as well as space sciences and technologies.
The inherent growth rate of the photonics, quantum science and space technology cluster is about 15% reflecting overall growth of the global market in the segments where Latvia is competitive. Given that the domain framed by photonics including quantum sciences and space science and related technologies is defined as a smart specialization and the needed focused investments are made, then we are confident that cluster growth of 30% or more is achievable through new business formation, attraction of foreign direct investment and joint ventures with international partners as well as productivity improvements in manufacturing and in new product development.
Outlook
Two scenarios need to be addressed.
➢ Business as usual. Photonics research and photonics related business development in Latvia continue as they have with modest support for research sufficient for a small number of researchers to continue to excel, but without significant investment in related infrastructure and without focus on business development support for photonics as a smart specialization. Continued lack of support for ESA.
➢ Photonics smart specialization. Needed investment in research infrastructure is made and parallel focused investments are made to drive innovation, technology commercialization and to attract researchers and related technology investment to Latvia. Latvia becomes a successful contributor to ESA.
Business as usual
➢ The record of Horizon 2020 success roughly matches earlier success as a result of dedicated effort of scientists in the field. No ESA grants. Possibly other ERC grants in addition to Ambainis, but uncertain.
➢ Few researchers are recruited due to the poor environment for science in Latvia constraining prospects for research, education and business development posing a danger to the future as the present generation retires.
➢ Baseline growth expectation – 15%, which is consistent with overall growth in photonics industries in Europe. By 2020 this would yield turnover of 199 million EUR with employment estimated at about 2000.
Photonics smart specialization.
➢ Funding from Horizon 2020 triples. Several ESA projects funded. Several (5) ERC grants as more researchers find Latvia an attractive place to do their work.
➢ More than 100 researchers are recruited from outside of Latvia
➢ 10 new business startups from technology and inventors attracted to Latvia with the Commercialization Reactor process.
➢ Strong prospects for joint ventures and investment in Latvia from major photonics firms
➢ Smart specialization growth expectation – more than 30% per annum. Outlook by 2020 – more than 400 million EUR annual photonics cluster revenue employing more than 4,000
In summary
Photonics, quantum sciences space sciences and related technologies is a regional smart specialization of Latvia “de facto” because the existence of following building blocks for that:
➢ About 40% of Latvia’s research output since 2004 when it joined the EU relates to photonics themes as measured by publication in indexed journals;
➢ Nearly 700 of Latvia’s approximately 5,-000 researchers work in photonics, quantum science , space sciences and related fields of applied sciences and technologies ;
➢ Over 12 institutes and laboratories in Latvia are involved in R&I in fields Of those institutes 3 received a high rating (4) from the referenced already before TECHNOPOLIS assessment of Latvian research and innovation. Only 15 RTD units received such high ranking in the country ;
➢ There is ”de facto” functioning photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related technologies cluster in Latvia with 30 SMEs with turnover in 2013 at 70 million EUR representing an 18% growth rate over 2012 and over 12 research units contributing to national research budget with 19 EU FP6&7 projects and total funding 8.4M€. In addition 7M€ were attracted via EU structural funds projects . Relevant research community is united thanks to small size of the country, corporate responsibility and patriotic mission to get Latvia on the knowledge economy track despite the existing unfavorable environment for RTD and Innovation development now;
➢ Photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related applied sciences and technologies research possess a remarkable share in financial terms of FP6 and FP7 projects and in the list of other research projects (i.e. Structural funds) conducted in Latvia since 2004;
➢ Photonics, quantum sciences, space sciences and related applied sciences and technologies research has been a leading specialization in Latvia for 60 years.
Unfortunatelly up - now there are no adequate response to the initiatives of the Project, but the team is continuously sustaining these RIS3 Pan- Baltic initiative strengthening mutual cooperation.
List of Websites:
WWW.LU.LV/FOTONIKA-LV www.FOTONIKA-LV.eu
