Understanding the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter is crucial for unravelling the internal structure and processes of materials. Electromagnetic waves exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviour, with the quantized nature of light becoming apparent in the realm of quantum technologies. The QU-ATTO network aims to merge the fields of quantum optics and quantum information science with attosecond physics. This involves focusing on experimental campaigns to highlight quantum aspects in the interaction of intense laser fields with matter and advancing theoretical descriptions for a comprehensive understanding of the quantum state of light associated with intense laser fields. Traditionally, attosecond pulses have been generated using table-top femtosecond lasers. However, recent experiments performed at free-electron lasers (FELs) have demonstrated the production of isolated attosecond pulses and precise control of attosecond waveforms for pulse trains, leading to remarkable advancements in attosecond science. The network also aims to leverage recent advances in seeded FELs and high-intensity high-harmonic generation (HHG)-based attosecond sources to demonstrate the coherent control of electronic dynamics in systems of increasing complexity. The QU-ATTO network represents a comprehensive effort to advance the understanding and control of the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter, with a specific focus on merging quantum optics, quantum information science, attosecond physics, and free-electron laser science. The doctoral candidates (DCs) in the network will receive multifaceted scientific training encompassing experimental and theoretical aspects of quantum information science, strong-field physics, and soft X-ray and X-ray science, as well as extensive training in transferable skills and self-management techniques.

MULTIPOINT's main objective is to develop a high power femtosecond laser system with a multibeam generation unit and custom beam delivery scanning and processing on the fly heads for high throughput micro-drilling of large Ti panels used in the fabrication HLFC structures in the aerospace industry. Three will be the key challenges to be adressed: • A 1.2 kW femtosecond laser source working at high pulse energy will be developed. This laser has enough power to drive several synchronized processes of percussion drilling at the same time (parallel processing) and hence, maximize the production just taking into account aspects related to the increase of the energy provided to the sample. • Secondly, a multibeam generation unit will be developed for splitting the main beam supplied by the laser source. This unit will be optimized not only optically but will take into account process optimization and application requirements. It will be designed to optimize the energy balance per beam in a pattern determined by the particular requirements of the micro-drilling of Ti panels for the development of HLFC structures. • Finally, two strategies for delivering the multibeam pattern to the Ti panel based on the percussion drilling technique will be developed and tested. The first strategy involves the development of a multibeam scanner based on galvanometric mirrors. Its custom design will include a sufficient optical aperture to take a number of parallel beams to the sample, within a working field determined by a focussing f-theta lens, in a controlled environment by means of an inert Ar atmosphere chamber for process protection. The second head will be a multibeam on-the-fly processing head with pulse trains in a multibeam pattern and Ar jet nozzle. These two strategies will also allow us to study the best processing approach through the development of new beam delivery technologies to optimize the process parameters and maximize production.

Plasma accelerators driven by advanced laser sources and/or compact electron linacs are key components for the next generation of green and sustainable research infrastructures. We propose a project on the development of "Plasma Accelerator systems for Compact Research Infrastructures" (PACRI), which will develop highly important and ground-breaking plasma accelerator technologies for Europe's future research infrastructures (RI). The specific objectives of PACRI are: - The development of high repetition rate plasma modules, as required for the EuPRAXIA ESFRI project, capable of extending its scientific scope from high average brightness radiation sources to high energy physics. - Improving the performance of normal conducting accelerator technology for X-band linacs, paving the way for high repetition rate operation (up to kHz) with a focus on efficiency and power consumption. - The development of key laser components required to scale up high power, high repetition rate laser technology as required by the EuPRAXIA and ELI ESFRI research infrastructures. The achievement of the PACRI objectives will enable the production of unique particle and photon beams with a wide range of applications in ultrafast science, high precision medical imaging, materials diagnostics, medical treatment and, in the longer term, the development of future compact colliders. These developments will be used for future resource-efficient upgrades of existing RIs at INFN, Elettra, CERN, CNR, CNRS, DESY, ELI, GSI/FAIR and UKRI. In addition, PACRI will support the implementation of ESFRI's EuPRAXIA distributed research facility by consolidating its sites and centres of excellence being developed under the ongoing EuPRAXIA_PP project. It will fund the development of some technical prototypes that are crucial for the implementation of the EuPRAXIA project and other European Research Infrastructures (e.g. enabling major upgrades to the ELI-Beamlines facility).

The THRILL project deals with providing new schemes and devices for pushing forward the limits of research infrastructures (RI) of European relevance and ESFRI landmarks. To do so, the project partners have identified several technical bottlenecks in high-energy high-repetition-rate laser technology that prevent it from reaching the technical readiness level required to technically specify and build the needed devices, and guaranteeing sustainable and reliable operation of such laser beamlines at the partnering RIs. Advancing the technical readiness of these topics is strategically aligned with the long-term plans and evolution of the ESFRI landmarks FAIR, ELI (-BL) and Eu-XFEL, and RI APOLLON, bringing them to the next level of development and strengthening their leading position. The project is well focused and it is deliberately restricted to three enabling technologies, which require the most urgent efforts and timely attention by the community: high-energy high-repetition-rate amplification, high-energy beam transport and optical coating resilience for large optics. To reach our goals, the major activity within THRILL will be organized around producing several prototypes demonstrating a high level of technical readiness. Our proposal is addressing not yet explored technical bottlenecks - such as transport over long distances of large-aperture laser beams via relay imaging using all-reflective optics - and aims at proposing concrete steps to increase the performances and effectiveness of the industrial community through the co-development of advanced technologies up to prototyping in operational environments. The project is not only pushing technology, it is also offering an outstanding opportunity to train a qualified work force for RIs and industry. With this in mind, the structure of THRILL promotes synergetic work, fast transfer to industry and integrated research activities at the European level. Access to the RIs will be granted as in-kind contribution.

WISE sets a new frontier for product complexity by shifting the focus from geometry to functionality, introducing features such as self-healing, triggered biomolecule diffusion, and smart repairing. This disruption redefines current design methodology, leveraging advanced AI-aided engineering and multi-scale, multi-process manufacturing to achieve unprecedented complexity. WISE has the potential to drive a discontinuity in the growth of the European industry by convincingly demonstrating an innovative, competitive, and scalable manufacturing concept based on a single machine that integrates macroscale processing (i.e., DED via hybrid blue-IR lasers) and micro-nano scale processing (i.e., fs and ns laser ablation, 2PP, DALP). WISE will deliver a TRL7 multi-process machine integrating high-precision, multi-scale techniques for producing complex multifunctional products. The project will demonstrate the machine's performance, flexibility, and precision by producing three complex hybrid products in MedTech, Aerospace, and Power generation sectors. The project builds upon TRL5-validated results from previous H2020 projects, which have brought significant innovations in the field of advanced manufacturing and enabling technologies. The work plan includes a final demonstration to validate the solution through the production of complex components based on end-user requirements. Upon completion, WISE will be further developed to reach TRL9 within 24 months, leading to its commercial launch as a multi-process manufacturing station. The WISE consortium is composed of 16 partners, including 8 SMEs, 4 LE, and 4 RTD. Their expertise covers mechatronics, intelligent nanostructured components, laser-material interaction, high-precision machines and tools. The project partners form a cluster of European countries playing crucial roles in the production of functionalized products with smart functionalities, adaptive photonic solutions, and advanced mechatronic systems.