The event was addressed by Prof. Gérard Mourou, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, professor at the École Polytechnique, and an honorary doctor of the University of Szeged. Participants were greeted by Prof. Gábor Szabó, Managing Director of ELI ALPS, and the opening was moderated by Prof. Katalin Varjú, Scientific Director of ELI ALPS.
One of our missions is to promote science and support the education of future generations. Focus provides a great opportunity for young people eager to learn more about physics – in an interactive and entertaining way.
Focus is primarily designed to offer tours for groups of visitors: the displayed devices are excellent resources for physics related workshops – out-of-school lessons, extracurricular activities, summer camps. The spectacular laser harp, the polarized ice-cream, the spinning water lily, the laser voice transmitter and the other exhibits present physical phenomena related to research conducted at ELI ALPS: sets of different optical elements can be used for the visualization and investigation of the fundamental laws of geometric and physical optics either through demonstrations or experiments and measurements. Visitors can familiarize themselves with the history, activities and the research infrastructure of ELI ALPS from a digital, 3D book. The “secret” of laser pulse generation is revealed too: the journey of photons in the PW laser system of ELI ALPS can be followed via 3D animation, and visitors can peek inside a real laser device. The operation of deformable mirrors used in the laser sources and the safety system of the laboratories is explained with models. The old experimental optics devices displayed on the shelves do not only please the eye, but they also demonstrate the fast development of this area of science. The interactive space allows visitors to learn what science and a scientific career mean to the researchers of ELI ALPS. They can also gain hands-on experience with laser chess, memory games and computer animations.
Focus is open to groups of visitors with appointments and themes agreed in advance. Members of the general public are welcome to look around within Researchers’ Night and Day of Light events.