Research: International Projects

Laser Physics and Nonlinear Optics
The Virtual Istitute of Nonolinear Optics - VINO Interlink Project, 2006-2008
Department of Physics and Mathematics

The Virtual Institute of Nonlinear Optics (VINO) is focused on establishing a European center of excellence for education in Como. In particular, this will become a site where:

1. top-level technical know-how in laser physics and nonlinear optics is made readily accessible to the entire European young-scientist community and
2. researchers who intend to collaborate in a community of full and long-term dissemination of knowledge and expertise can find an appropriate center-of-mass.

A spectacular science-and-art exhibition, highlighting the unique and unexpected influence that scientific knowledge has on our everyday "artistic" perception of nature, will have great impact on the quality of training in elementary and secondary schools and on the general public. Tutoring of Ph.D. students in cutting-edge areas of intersectorial research will be made feasible by relying upon the support of several European specialists, gathered from different research communities and set to work as a single, tightly knit team by means of e-tools for knowledge management.

The project proposes a highly innovative approach to education and research to the scientific community, which de-emphasizes competition among laboratories in favor of true enhancement of knowledge levels. The methodology will be brought to fruition by introducing a completely new research branch, devoted to the study of conical and dissipative nonlinear waves, which will lead to performance in modern laser technology far beyond the reach of present know-how.