They have discussed the possibilities of support from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth for a Bulgarian development on laser fusion generation
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev has visited the Institute of Solid State Physics at BAS (ISSP-BAS). He has got acquainted with the research conducted in the “Metal vapour lasers” laboratory at the Institute founded by Acad. Nikola Sabotinov. The wide range of laser systems allows the study of high-speed processes at the level of molecules and atoms as well as analyses for the purposes of materials science, medicine, biology and for the improvement of existing and the creation of new powerful copper bromide vapour lasers.
Minister Donchev has met with the team that has developed a new method for constructing particle accelerators targeting light atoms and nuclei using ultra-short, high-power laser pulses.
With the femtosecond laser system of the laboratory, Prof. Lubomir Kovachev and Assoc. Prof. Ivan Angelov from the Institute of Electronics and Associate Professors from ISSP Ekaterina Iordanova and Georgi Yankov, participants in the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI ERIC) project, have conducted an experiment demonstrating for the first time the decay of helium nuclei with subsequent fusion reactions. Published in reputable scientific journals and protected by national and international patents, the results of the study are of great scientific interest.
Scientists said that over the past three years the Bulgarian ELI-ERIC-BG consortium consisting of the two institutes of BAS and SU “St. Kl. Ohridski” had invested heavily in its national laser research capabilities, and the results had not been delayed. It was highly commended at the Extreme Light Research Infrastructure meeting, and Director General Allen Weeks stated that Bulgaria was prepared to actively participate in ELI research collaborations. They recalled that as of October 2024 Bulgaria had been approved as a full member of ELI ERIC which was of utmost importance for laser research and technological advancement in our country. The transition from observer to founding member has opened avenues for cutting-edge research and encourages the development of international collaborations.
Deputy Prime Minister Donchev and the scientists of BAS discussed various options for supporting their project through the Ministry of Innovation and Growth instruments for promoting innovation, invention, digitalization, research and development as well as the benefits for our country from such a Bulgarian project.
