In 2019, the Government of Hungary decided to launch a project at the University of Szeged for the laser-driven transmutation of nuclear waste, i.e. the conversion of radioactive elements with long half-lives. The research programme was set to develop a new neutron generation technology based on ultrashort laser pulses available at ELI ALPS Laser Research Institute. At that time, the viability of this scientific objective had been supported by simulations only, with no experimental results or technological experience. The proposal for laser-driven neutron generation was published in 2020 by Károly Osvay, head of the National Laser-Initiated Transmutation established at SZTE, and Gábor Szabó, professor at SZTE and managing director of ELI ALPS.
Károly Osvay presented the scientific results of his research group in an interview published on the university's website in the days before the conference. He pointed out that his team had also initiated research efforts into the preparation of isotopes for radiobiological, medical etc. purposes. A major outcome of these experiments is that radiation conditions suitable for testing space devices can be created in vacuum.
Károly Osvay
On 7 February, ELI ALPS Laser Research Institute hosted an international conference organized in conjunction with the University of Szeged (SZTE) on the achievements of the first, five-year period of the transmutation project and its applications. The project was originally launched by former Minister of Innovation László Palkovics at the suggestion of Nobel Prize laureate physicist Gérard Mourou and laser physicist Gábor Szabó, Managing Director of ELI ALPS. The event was attended by Minister of Energy Csaba Lantos, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation László Bódis, and Gérard Mourou, Research Professor of SZTE. Also in attendance were László Rovó, Rector of SZTE, Péter Domokos, physicist and Co-President of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDI Office), Balázs Gulyás, brain researcher and President of the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, as well as Allen Weeks, Director General of ELI ERIC. The event was hosted by Professor Gábor Szabó.
“Through continuous developments implemented in cooperation by ELI ALPS and the University of Szeged, laser technology has become a key concept in the scientific arena, providing solutions to the most significant scientific problems. The research conducted here can help nuclear energy to become more widely accepted as one of the cleanest and most reliable energy sources that can contribute to climate protection and to securing the country’s energy needs,” Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said.
According to the Deputy State Secretary for Innovation, around EUR 100 million a year has been recently spent on the National Laboratories Programme, on projects that focus on different research areas within the higher education research ecosystem. At the conference, László Bódis announced the launch of the new government programme called Missions, which will build on previous laboratory and industrial achievements to maintain Hungary’s competitiveness in the field of R&D and innovation. The programme also aims to contribute to the development of a sustainable energy and economic system through the practical application of scientific results at national and international level. “We have earmarked EUR 10 million for this programme this year, and we hope to secure even more funding in the coming years,” the Deputy State Secretary stressed.
Gérard Mourou and Katalin Hideghéthy
Director General of ELI ERIC Allen Weeks pointed out that the transmutation project became successful thanks to the collaboration between ELI ALPS and the University of Szeged. The available infrastructure and knowledge have created a unique opportunity at ELI, and in the last two years, over 1,500 scientists from more than 30 countries have applied to run experiments at the institute. This also shows that ELI has attracted global interest. The research teams of the institute help scientists from all over the world to carry out their own experiments.
“The laser-driven acceleration of neutrons, electrons and protons with lasers opens up completely new possibilities. Add to this the compact size, versatility and cost-effectiveness of the device, and you have a truly revolutionary technology. This is exactly what the transmutation project represents: a fusion of different technologies that could revolutionize an entire industry. Hungary has always been at the forefront of nuclear science. Hungarian researchers are excellent specialists in this field and the knowledge concentrated here is world class. Scientific results published recently have received considerable attention in the scientific community. These achievements not only enrich basic research but also enable practical applications, especially in the fields of medicine and energy. It is therefore important to continue this work and to develop this project further. This is a development direction in which Hungary can become a world-class centre,” said ELI ERIC’s Director General.
During the five years of the transmutation project, it was demonstrated for the first time that continuous neutron generation is possible using low-energy, short-pulse lasers. Through meticulous scientific and technical innovations, the project achieved the generation of 108 neutrons per second, which is the current world record. Furthermore, in addition to having yielded fifteen publications and two patents, the neutron beamline of the University of Szeged is now also available for experiments in ELI ERIC’s user programme.
Further details are available on the website of the University of Szeged.