INSTITUT ZA FIZIKU

Their core work

Institut za Fiziku (Institute of Physics) in Zagreb is Croatia's leading physics research centre, with active programmes in laser science, photonics, and materials physics for fusion energy. They operate laser laboratories that are part of the pan-European LASERLAB-EUROPE network, providing transnational access to advanced laser facilities. Their materials research arm contributes to understanding radiation damage in fusion and fission reactor materials through multiscale modelling approaches.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014-2017), the institute's involvement centred on fusion energy — first as a third party in the large EUROfusion programme, then as a participant in M4F for fusion materials modelling. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted toward laser research infrastructure and photonics through LASERLAB-EUROPE, bringing in new competences in biomedical optics, bio-imaging, and laser spectroscopy. This trajectory suggests a broadening from nuclear materials physics toward laser applications with cross-disciplinary reach.

Moving from pure nuclear/fusion physics toward laser-based applications including biomedical optics and photonics, positioning themselves as a regional laser facility with European-level access.

How they like to work

Institut za Fiziku operates exclusively as a participant or third party — they have not coordinated any H2020 projects, which is typical for a mid-sized national research institute joining large European infrastructures. Their 230 consortium partners across 29 countries reflect the massive scale of EUROfusion and LASERLAB-EUROPE rather than independent networking. They are best understood as a reliable specialist contributor who plugs into major pan-European programmes rather than building their own consortia.

Connected to 230 partners across 29 countries, though this breadth comes primarily from membership in two of Europe's largest research infrastructure programmes (EUROfusion and LASERLAB-EUROPE). Their direct collaborative relationships are likely narrower than these numbers suggest.

What sets them apart

As Croatia's representative in both the European fusion programme and the LASERLAB network, Institut za Fiziku serves as a national gateway for two major physics research infrastructures. Their combination of materials modelling expertise and experimental laser capabilities is relatively rare in Southeast Europe. For consortium builders, they offer access to Croatian research capacity in photonics and advanced materials with established integration into pan-European networks.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LASERLAB-EUROPE
  Part of Europe's premier laser research infrastructure network, signalling the institute's laser facilities meet pan-European quality and access standards.
• EUROfusion
  Participation in the EU's flagship fusion energy programme (even as third party) indicates recognised competence in fusion-relevant physics research.
• M4F
  Focused on multiscale modelling of fusion and fission materials — a niche but strategically important field connecting physics simulation with nuclear engineering.