CALIPSOplus · Project

Europe's Synchrotrons and Laser Labs Now Open for Industrial Testing and Analysis

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7Thin data (2/5)

Imagine you need a super-powerful microscope that can see inside materials at the atomic level — synchrotrons and free electron lasers are exactly that, but they're massive facilities that most companies never knew they could use. CALIPSOplus connected 19 of these light source facilities across 12 countries and made it far easier for businesses to book time, run experiments, and get their data back in a standardized format. They even ran a pilot program specifically to get small and mid-sized companies through the door for the first time, complete with awareness campaigns and dedicated support.

By the numbers

connected light source facilities

countries covered

project deliverables produced

permanent wavefront sensing setup installed at FLASH2

The business problem

What needed solving

Many companies — especially SMEs — have materials, components, or products that need atomic-level analysis but have no idea that Europe's synchrotrons and laser labs are available for industrial use. Even those who know face a maze of separate booking systems, incompatible data formats, and no clear entry point. This means valuable analytical capabilities sit underused while companies settle for less precise in-house methods.

The solution

What was built

CALIPSOplus produced 63 deliverables including: a consolidated wayforlight portal for booking beamtime across facilities, harmonized data management across 19 light sources, software tools for remote data analysis, a permanent wavefront sensing setup at FLASH2 for focal spot characterization, metrology methods for diffraction-limited optics developed with manufacturing industry, and a pilot SME Trans-national Access programme with awareness campaigns.

Audience

Who needs this

Precision optics and photonics manufacturers needing metrology for diffraction-limited componentsPharmaceutical companies requiring molecular structure analysis via synchrotron crystallographyAdvanced materials companies characterizing new alloys, coatings, or composites at the nanoscaleSemiconductor manufacturers needing non-destructive inspection at atomic resolutionQuality control labs seeking to upgrade from conventional to synchrotron-based analytical methods

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Precision Optics Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Companies manufacturing lenses, mirrors, or diffraction-limited optical components

If you are an optics manufacturer struggling with quality verification of next-generation diffraction-limited components — this project developed metrology methods for diffraction-limited optics in direct collaboration with manufacturing industry. These techniques were built for the new hard X-ray free electron lasers and next-generation synchrotrons, meaning your products can be validated against the most demanding specifications in the world.

Pharmaceutical & Biotech

SME

Target: Drug development companies needing molecular structure analysis

If you are a pharma company that needs atomic-level structural analysis of drug candidates but have never used a synchrotron — CALIPSOplus created a dedicated Trans-national Access programme for SMEs with awareness campaigns and hands-on support. With 19 connected facilities across 12 countries, you can now find the nearest light source, book beamtime, and get standardized data back without navigating each facility's separate system.

Advanced Materials & Semiconductors

any

Target: Materials science companies developing new alloys, coatings, or semiconductor materials

If you are a materials company that needs to characterize new alloys or coatings at the nanoscale but your in-house instruments cannot reach that resolution — this project harmonized data management across 19 facilities and built software tools for remote data analysis. That means you can submit samples, get results remotely, and compare data across different light sources without compatibility headaches.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does it cost to use these light source facilities?

Historically, beamtime at European synchrotrons has been free for academic users but charged for proprietary industrial work. CALIPSOplus specifically developed sustainability and business plans for access beyond 2020. Contact individual facilities or SciTransfer for current pricing details.

Can my company actually get access, or is this only for universities?

CALIPSOplus ran a specific Trans-national Access programme designed for SMEs, paired with awareness-raising campaigns targeting local industry around each facility. The project explicitly aimed to widen usage beyond traditional academic users. With 19 connected facilities across 12 countries, there is likely one within reach.

Who owns the IP from experiments done at these facilities?

Based on available project data, CALIPSOplus focused on infrastructure access and data management tools rather than generating patents. Typically, companies retain full IP from proprietary beamtime experiments. The metrology methods developed with manufacturing industry may have specific licensing terms worth investigating.

Can we analyze data remotely or do we need to be physically present?

The project specifically developed software tools for remote data analysis as one of its Joint Research Activities. Combined with harmonized data management across the consortium, this means companies can increasingly submit experiments and analyze results without traveling to the facility.

How mature are these facilities for industrial use?

European synchrotrons and free electron lasers are fully operational, world-class facilities — this is not experimental equipment. CALIPSOplus improved the industrial access pathway by consolidating the wayforlight portal as a single entry point and standardizing procedures across 19 facilities. The 63 deliverables produced include concrete tools and setups already in use.

Is there support for first-time industrial users?

Yes. CALIPSOplus created a Twinning programme, organized dedicated schools, and ran university visits specifically to bring in new users. The SME-focused Trans-national Access programme was designed as a pilot action with hands-on support for companies unfamiliar with light source capabilities.

What regions are covered?

The consortium spans 12 countries: Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK. This gives broad geographic coverage across Europe and the Middle East, making physical access practical for companies in most European regions.

Consortium

Who built it

The CALIPSOplus consortium is heavily research-oriented: 9 research organizations and 6 universities out of 19 partners, with only 1 industry partner and zero SMEs (5% industry ratio). This reflects the project's nature as research infrastructure coordination rather than product development. The coordinator, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, is one of Germany's major research centers with deep expertise in light source operation. The 12-country spread across Europe and the Middle East means broad geographic access, but the low industry participation signals that the business access pathways developed here still need active promotion to reach commercial users.

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EVCoordinator · DE
AARHUS UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
SYNCHROTRON-LIGHT FOR EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EASTparticipant · JO
SYNCHROTRON SOLEIL SOCIETE CIVILEparticipant · FR
LUNDS UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
CONSORCIO PARA LA CONSTRUCCION EQUIPAMIENTO Y EXPLOTACION DEL LABORATORIO DE LUZ SINCROTRONparticipant · ES
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEITparticipant · NL
ANKARA UNIVERSITESIparticipant · TR
EUROPEAN SYNCHROTRON RADIATION FACILITYparticipant · FR
ELETTRA - SINCROTRONE TRIESTE SCPAparticipant · IT
HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM BERLIN FUR MATERIALIEN UND ENERGIE GMBHparticipant · DE
KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIEparticipant · DE
DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE LIMITEDparticipant · UK
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTparticipant · CH
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
DEUTSCHES ELEKTRONEN-SYNCHROTRON DESYparticipant · DE
EUROPEAN X-RAY FREE-ELECTRON LASERFACILITY GMBHparticipant · DE
UNIWERSYTET JAGIELLONSKIparticipant · PL
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEAREparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Germany) — SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction to the coordination team

Order a report on this consortium See HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to find out if synchrotron or free electron laser analysis could solve your materials characterization challenge? SciTransfer can match you with the right facility and guide you through the access process.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0