The Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source (ELI-ALPS) Laser Research Centre is one of the pillars of this infrastructure was built in Szeged and is one of the largest scientific investments in Europe, with support from the European Union amounting to over 70 billion HUF.
The purpose of ELI-ALPS is to establish a unique, laser-based European user research facility where ultrashort laser pulses and light sources will be accessible for international researchers. ELI-ALPS’ Lasers will able to generate the shortest and greatest number of laser pulses per second so far. This allows researchers to examine elementary intramolecular physical processes and also provides unparalleled infrastructure to carry out basic and applied research on an ultrafast timescale for outstanding research results in biology, medicine and material sciences. There is a cooperation agreement between ELI-ALPS and the University resulting in the collaboration in the organisation of research projects and training programmes. The entire complex was opened in May 2017 and the facility will become fully operational in 2019.
A scientific industrial park is planned in a 80-hectare area surround the ELI-ALPS facility and is welcoming all start-up and successful businesses that could utilize the laser research centre and are drawn to Szeged by the inspirational atmosphere of the city. The Hungarian Molecular Medicine Centre of Excellence will also operate in the ELI Science Park and will be established as a large scientific investment of the EU. An automotive industry competence centre may also be formed in conjunction with the University of Kecskemét. The first facilities were opened in 2019.